Abstract

Peru is the center of origin and diversity of more than 3,000 varieties of native potatoes although only a few varieties are typically consumed beyond the Andean region. Drawing on 14 months of ethnographic research, I explore the role of standards of size, quality, and colors as well as documents like invoices in formalizing and mobilizing the potatoes in the market. I argue that these standards and documents together with economic sociability serve as an important strategy to add value to native potatoes from their production in Ayacucho to their distribution in Lima. By keeping the ethnographic eye on the construction and negotiation of those standards, I show the fragility, the risks, the opportunities, and the power relationships that emerge along the native potato chain.

摘要

秘鲁是 3,000 多种本地马铃薯品种的原产地和多样性中心，尽管只有少数品种通常在安第斯地区以外消费。借助 14 个月的民族志研究，我探讨了尺寸、质量和颜色标准以及发票等文件在马铃薯在市场上的正式化和动员方面的作用。我认为，这些标准和文件以及经济社会性是一项重要的战略，可以为本地马铃薯从阿亚库乔的生产到在利马的分销增加价值。通过对这些标准的构建和谈判保持民族志的关注，我展示了马铃薯本地链中出现的脆弱性、风险、机遇和权力关系。