Tied ridges climate smart technology and overall performance of orange flesh sweet potato varieties in semi-arid Kenya: Evidence from Samburu county

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is produced extensively throughout Africa and is rich in vitamins, dietary fiber, carotenoids, calcium, iron, potassium, protein, and carbs. Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) production in Kenya’s semi-arid regions faces chronic moisture stress, yet remains understudied. This study evaluated the effects of climate-resilient moisture conservation technologies-tied ridges, sunken beds, and flat beds (control)—on the growth and yield of three orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) varieties (Irene, Ken Spot 4, and Ken Spot 5) in Samburu county’s semi-arid agroecological zones. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was employed, with data collected on vine length, branch count, storage root yield (kg/plot), and dry matter content. Results revealed significant differences (*p* < 0.05) among treatments, with tied ridges producing the highest mean yield (5.27 ± 0.36 kg/plot), outperforming sunken beds (4.73 ± 0.32 kg/plot) and flat beds (3.60 ± 0.23 kg/plot). Among varieties, Irene demonstrated superior performance (5.58 kg/plot under tied ridges), while Ken Spot 5 exhibited notable drought adaptability. Regression analysis showed a strong positive relationship (R² = 0.72) between vine length and yield. The study concludes that tied ridges combined with high-yielding varieties significantly enhance OFSP productivity in water-limited environments. Recommendations include farmer training on tied ridge implementation, policy support for tool access, and further research on laborsaving innovations. These findings contribute to climate-smart agriculture strategies for food security in semi-arid regions.