The Wiphala Genomics: the deployment of molecular markers in small-scale potato crop systems in the Bolivian Andes

The deployment of molecular markers in the small-scale potato systems in the Bolivian Andes takes place within two contradictory understandings of potato biodiversity. On the one hand, biodiversity is understood as raw material; farmers' varieties have no intrinsic value, value is added by breeders in breeding projects. On the other hand, biodiversity is understood as cultural material; potatoes are final entities created by farmers and therefore they have an intrinsic cultural value. It is argued that the deployment of markers in the cultural understanding of biodiversity (Wiphala genomics) has potentialities to address resource-poor farmers' constraints. Furthermore, the article suggests that some participatory plant-breeding networks are appropriate social platforms for the deployment of molecular markers if the intention is to strengthen both small-scale potato systems and the farmer's position in molecular marker technological systems.