Participatory Evaluation and Promotion of Orange Fleshed Sweetpotato Varieties and Their Utilization in Northwestern Ethiopia

Abstract Orange-fleshed sweetpotato is a nutrient-rich biofortified crop that plays an important role in reducing food and vitamin A deficiencies. A participatory varietal selection (PVS) study was carried out during the 2022 main cropping season, followed by promotional and dissemination activities in 2023 and 2024 across West Belesa, East Belesa, Gondar Zuria, and Debark (Belese Kebele) districts. Six orange-fleshed sweetpotato varieties were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with three replications, following the mother–baby trial approach. Agronomic data were collected from the mother trials and analyzed using R software, while farmers’ preference data from baby trials were analyzed through pairwise ranking. The combined analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the tested varieties of terms of maturity date, plant height, root diameter, and total root yield per hectare. The highest mean root yield was recorded for the variety Kulfo (26.03 t ha⁻¹), followed by Dilla (23.54 t ha⁻¹), whereas the lowest yield was obtained from Tulla (13.54 t ha⁻¹). Farmers evaluated the varieties based on their selection criteria and ranked Kulfo, Tulla, and Burtiknie as first, second, and third, respectively. Kulfo and Tulla were subsequently selected for further demonstration and community seed production in the PVS sites and related agroecological zones. Across the promotion and scaling phases, Kulfo remained the most preferred variety, therefore, wider dissemination of the Kulfo variety is recommended in the study areas and with similar environments.