Priority quality traits for gendered sweetpotato breeding in Mozambique

Introduction Sweetpotato breeders strive to develop varieties that address productivity challenges farmers face in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, adoption of these is low, partly attributed limited attention attributes desired by the end-users. Methods This study sought identify key traits preferred eight women processors and 426 consumers (180 male, 246 female) Manhiça, Marracuene Maputo districts, Mozambique. Processing diagnostics consumer studies evaluated two local (‘Lilas’, ‘N’santimuni’) improved (‘Alisha’, ‘Irene’). Data from were analyzed using content analysis summary statistics. Consumer hedonic data clustering regression models, while Penalty Multiple correspondence performed for Just-about-right Check-all-that-apply tests respectively. Results Processors prioritized mealiness, sweet taste, not fibrous, good sweetpotato smell, ease peeling, easy cook appearance boiled root. ‘N’santimuni’ was most variety processing. Consumers ‘Lilas’ because their high dry matter, pleasant firmness hand, smoothness when eating taste. ‘Alisha’ ‘Irene’ penalized low scores on sweetness, firmness. Women consumed more frequently than men had better discernment homogeneity colour. Also, youth educated disliked adults lower income consumers. Discussion strongly indicated preference importance quality such as sweetpotato. are rarely included breeding designs. Breeding programs can thus be enhanced biophysical chemical parameters will enable quantification incorporation attributes.