Blantyre, Malawi: In a bid to bolster food security and mitigate the harsh realities of climate change, the University of Malawi’s (Unima) Centre for Resilient Agri-foods Systems (Crafs) and Tehirah Bakery have joined forces to train farmers in Zomba and Blantyre districts on the art and science of sweet potato production. The focus of this vital training? Reducing post-harvest losses, enhancing storage techniques, and unlocking the potential of value addition.
Held at the Ministry of Agriculture’s Lunzu Rural Training Centre in Blantyre, the initiative brought together farmer club and cooperative members from Traditional Authorities Kunthembwe and Chikowi, equipping them with crucial skills to transform their harvests.
Victoria Ndolo, Unima associate professor in food science and Crafs deputy academic leader, challenged farmers to adopt a paradigm shift in their approach to sweet potatoes. “Farmers should normalise reserving part of their harvest for household consumption rather than putting everything up for sale,” she urged. “Drought-resilient crops such as sweet potatoes are key in mitigating climate change shocks, reducing hunger, and improving people’s lives.”
The training highlighted the critical role of sweet potatoes, particularly orange-fleshed varieties, in combating hunger, especially in the wake of recent maize shortages. Jean Pankuku, director of Tehirah Bakery, emphasized the importance of proper crop management. “Farmers must learn how to properly take care of the crop by selecting the right varieties, tending their nurseries and crop in the field, storage and adding value to it,” she stated.
A key component of the training focused on transforming sweet potatoes into versatile products. Farmers were taught how to produce orange-fleshed sweet potato flour, a base for cakes, bread, doughnuts, fritters, and other snacks, offering a sustainable alternative to selling the crop during periods of glut.
This initiative represents a crucial step in empowering Malawian farmers to build resilience against climate-related food shortages. By equipping them with the knowledge and skills to minimize waste and maximize the potential of sweet potatoes, Crafs and Tehirah Bakery are fostering a more secure and sustainable agricultural future for the region.
