Adding Value to Sweet Potatoes, Transforming Lives

On 12 June 2026, the Centre for Resilient Agri-Food Systems (CRAFS) at the University of Malawi, through its Community Action Research Projects for Enterprise Development  (CARP-E) initiative, visited Tehilah Bakery and Value Addition Centre in Lunzu, Blantyre to assess progress on a project focused on commercialising orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.

The enterprise, led by Jean Pankuku, received a USD 7,500 CARP-E grant to support the commercialisation of products made from biofortified orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.

The centre produces a wide range of value-added goods, including sweet potato bread, buns, biscuits, doughnuts, mandazi, chin chin, and blended sweet potato flour.

With support from CRAFS-CARP-E, the enterprise has installed a solar dryer, helping to preserve seasonal produce such as sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and leafy vegetables.

This has significantly reduced post-harvest losses and ensured a steady supply of nutritious products all year-round.

The project also benefited from support to procure environmentally friendly packaging materials, enhancing product presentation and market readiness.

By substituting imported wheat flour with sweet potatoes in confectionery products, the enterprise is promoting the use of locally grown crops while creating market opportunities for smallholder farmers. This initiative is contributing to improved nutrition, increased incomes, and stronger local value chains.

Beyond production, Tehilah Bakery has partnered with CRAFS to offer training to farmers, SMEs, cooperatives, and university students in food handling, sweet potato production, post-harvest management, and value addition,which has helped in building essential skills and fostering entrepreneurship within communities.

The field visit, which was led by Dr Elias Mwakilama, Deputy Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator, and Dr Dalitso Kafumbata, Deputy Academic Centre Leader – Biological Sciences at CRAFS, underscored how the university's CRAFS-CARP-E support is turning agricultural innovation into practical solutions that enhance livelihoods, promote food security, and strengthen Malawi's agri-food sector.