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Sweetpotato is the second most important root crop in Ethiopia, making an important contribution to food security in the densely populated areas of southern Ethiopia. While the white-fleshed sweetpotato (WFSP) varieties have been widely grown, the recently bred pro-vitamin A orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) varieties are also gaining popularity nationwide. This study evaluated on-farm performances of five new OFSP varieties along with two previously released “check” varieties, one of which is a WFSP, across 13 locations in southern Ethiopia for 2 consecutive seasons (2017 and 2018) with the objective of selecting farmer preferred varieties. The experimental design used was randomized complete block design. Results revealed highly significant differences (p < 0.05) among the tested varieties for all parameters considered. Overall, the new varieties were superior to the check varieties for most of the parameters considered. Kulfo, the OFSP check and the only OFSP variety under production, was inferior in above-ground biomass yield, taste, vegetative, and physical root quality performance. There was a strong negative correlation between altitude and root yields, with the highest root yields being in areas 1,500–1,650 m above sea level. The new varieties were accepted by the farmers due to their better yields, adaptability to the local agro-ecological conditions, and high dry matter content. The results of this study implied that the conventional variety evaluations should be complemented by farmers' participatory processes to ensure the release of acceptable varieties targeting both food security and marketability.

The CGIAR Research Program (CRP) on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB) includes vegetatively propagated staple crops linked by common breeding, seed, and postharvest issues, and by the frequency with which women are involved in their production and use. RTB crops are the backbone of food security across the humid tropics in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and in more localized areas of Asia and Latin America. Around 300 million poor people in developing countries currently depend on RTB value chains for food security, nutrition and income. Climate change poses challenges which could undo progress in poverty reduction and markedly increase food insecurity. This article examines planning and research for climate resilience across RTB crops, with a particular focus on the contrasting potato and sweet potato cases in SSA. A six-step framework for climatesmart breeding is proposed: (1) downscaling climate change models and crop modeling; (2) identifying and understanding key climate change responsive traits; (3) breeding and varietal selection; (4) phenotyping and genomic research to accelerate gains; (5) developing management options for climate-smart varieties; and (6) deployment (seed systems). In summary, climate-smart breeding means we need to do what we already do but faster, better, and smarter.

Sweetpotato is increasingly important in sub-Saharan Africa due to its yield potential under sub-optimal growing conditions. But lack of planting material (seed) at the onset of the rains is a major constraint. This study examined smallholder strategies for sweetpotato seed conservation and multiplication, their agroclimatic determinants, and farmers' perceived drought risk at four sites (Dilla, Chuko, Hawassa, Sodo) in Ethiopia using informant interviews, a survey of 278 households, and agroclimatic statistics. Conservation practices were dictated by farming system and agroecological conditions. The long-term mean length of dry period when multipliers must conserve seeds ranged between 103 and 131 days across sites. Seed multipliers faced high uncertainty of rainfall onset that varied from the end of February to mid-May. Estimated probabilities of moderate and severe droughts affecting seed conservation ranged from 36–75%, and 15–58%, respectively. In drier sites, age of multiplier, land-holding size, sweetpotato production experience and access to extension were positively associated with being a vine multiplier. Knowledge of indigenous conservations strategies should inform seed system intervention design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]