Perceptions of Potato Practices and their Impacts by Farmers in Guatemala using Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping

This study aims to assist in adopting production practices that lead to better soil health, low plant parasitic nematodes (PPN) population density, increased potato yield for farmers in Western Guatemala using fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM). A cognitive map was developed representing farmers current perceptions of the production practices and their impacts. In comparison with agricultural professionals cognitive map provided knowledge gaps which will allow agricultural professionals to customize and design more effective technology transfer activities for greater adoption. Primary data were collected in Paquix, Huehuetenango from farmers and at the University of San Carlos in Guatemala from agricultural professionals. Both cognitive maps aligned in general with contrasting perceptions on the impact of certified seeds and compost practices on plant parasitic population density. Training and demonstration plots were perceived as influential to adoption by farmers. Farmers seemed ambiguous on the impact on yield but knowledgeable on the impact on soil health and plant parasitic population density. Most farmers said they receive their information from their local cooperatives and had actively participated in demonstration plots. Understanding the knowledge gaps and knowing where and how farmers got their information, agricultural professionals can effectively design workshops for effective dissemination and thus higher adoption rates. Acknowledgement : We thank Mr. A. Meji for his assistance with data collection. We thank Mr. I. Viteri and his staff at Popoyan for their assistance at multiple levels. This work was supported in part by the Horticulture Innovation Lab with funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development as part of the U.S. government s global hunger and food security initiative called Feed the Future.