Drawing on Beck’s ‘Risk Society’ in the context of agricultural production we consider the varietal diversity of potatoes. Maintaining varietal diversity in crops such as potatoes is challenging and important. Neo-liberal agricultural practices may promote a reduction in varietal diversity with higher yielding varieties offering better commercial returns that typically outweigh other traits. However, varietal diversity in both flora and fauna is a defence against pests and diseases. Potato crop failure, associated with vulnerabilities of particular varieties, can have devastating effects, most notably The Irish Potato Famine (1845-49) but more recently economic losses are common occurrences. Varietal diversity may also provide the genetic resources to combat the challenges of climate change and allow the development of both resistant varieties and those with the adaptive capacity to contribute to greater food security. Furthermore, local varieties can be important in regional gastronomy and community wellbeing, factors celebrated in the Slow Food movement. However, traditional conservation rationalities do not translate easily to an understanding of ‘manufactured’ varieties, partly because potatoes grown commercially are the result of selective breeding and not ‘natural’ in the conventional sense, and partly because potatoes are not indigenous flora to Scotland or to most contexts of production throughout the world.
This study explores stakeholder concepts of barriers and opportunities to potato varietal diversity in the context of the Scottish potato sector. A concept mapping technique is used to identify and visualise patterns in the data. Social theories of risk, particularly Beck’s ‘Risk Society, are applied to develop greater understanding of associated risks that are bound-up with socio-economics, technological innovation, cultural practices and governance. This critical perspective has been designed to have a practical impact by highlighting the challenges faced by growers to policy makers and has been funded by Scottish Government to benefit their stakeholders.