How much would Kenyans pay for yellow maize?

We’ve blogged a few times about the preference for white maize in Africa, despite the nutritional advantages of the yellow kind. A recent paper in Food Policy puts some numbers on that. It also gives an historical explanation for the preference, at least for Kenya:

The high demand for maize for the war industry and the support of strong lobbying efforts by European settlers, combined with pest problems in millet and sorghum, made maize the major food crop in Kenya by the time of the First World War. A major turning point was when the marketing board started to refuse to buy yellow maize. From then on, only white maize was grown in the central highlands. The maize research program in Kenya, one of the most successful in the region, produced many improved varieties but, given the established market preferences and focus on the highlands, all those were white. It can thus be argued that the dominance of white dent varieties in East Africa was a case of path dependency, caused by a range of favoring factors ([Rubey et al., 1997] and [Smale and Jayne, 2003]). Furthermore, once people are used to a particular food with particular characteristics these characteristics easily become preferred traits.

The numbers are striking. In a survey conducted at small mills, kiosks and supermarkets, 600 consumers asked for a price discount of a third to a half for yellow maize. They were willing to pay a premium for fortified maize, but of only 6-7%. The adoption of biofortified varieties clearly faces a daunting challenge:

We conclude that substantial efforts will be needed to make biofortified, yellow maize varieties acceptable to the urban consumers. A reduction in price would clearly help, and lower income consumers would be more responsive, but the price difference would have to be substantial. Formal education seems to increase the preference for white maize and has no effect on the preference for fortified. Therefore, special educational and awareness programs seem indicated. Further research is, however, needed to assess what information and awareness is needed for consumers to change their behavior. To develop appropriate awareness campaigns, the sources of this type of information need to be assessed.

What price leafy greens?

Nibbles: Angola, Peas, Water, Root & tubers, Pollination, Coffee & chocolate, Worms

Fun with Web 2.0 and genetic resources

This is awesome. I hate to get all airhead on you, faithful reader, and I know I’m easily impressed, but a little video “tutorial” from the folks at Gramene just blew me away. In less than four minutes — as long as you have a reasonably good internet connection and hardware — they give you a glimpse of what you can get through Gramene. Not merely genetic maps, snips, images, full DNA sequences, access to germplasm, phylogenies and taxonomies and what have you but also — get this — recipes! And nutrition!

The tutorial is well worth watching, to see how advanced these products can be. The site where the tutorial is hosted looks like it might be a very useful resource. And if I didn’t have real work to do, I know I could usefully explore Gramene itself for a day or two.

  • The tutorial is here.
  • Gramene is here.
  • I found the tutorial here.

Like I said, awesome.

Terrible news from the northern Pacific

My friend and colleague Lois Englberger has just written to say that the building which housed the Secretariat of the Pacific Community office in Pohnpei and the headquarters of the Island Food Community of Pohnpei burned down during the early morning of 4 April. Losses were great, though thankfully nobody was hurt. Both SPC and IFCP are active promoters of traditional foods, and have done great work documenting and conserving traditional varieties of Pacific crops, and not just in Pohnpei. What’s happened is a terrible blow, but I’m sure both organizations will make a full and rapid recovery and continue their vital work. My thoughts and best wishes are with Lois, Konrad, Adelino and all my other friends affected by this in Pohnpei and around the Pacific.

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