In this presentation Felistus Chipungu talks about the progress of sweetpotato breeding in Malawi and what they aim to achieve in future.

The Sweetpotato Action for Security and Health in Africa (SASHA) is a five-year initiative designed to improve the food security and livelihoods of poor families in SubSaharan Africa by exploiting the untapped potential of sweetpotato. It will develop the essential capacities, products, and methods to reposition sweetpotato in food economies of Sub-Saharan African countries to alleviate poverty and under-nutrition.

Objectives: The national sweetpotato breeding program in Malawi is mandated to develop varieties that: Give high and stable yields (≥20t/ha) per unit area and time Are resistant/tolerant to major and prevalent diseases (SPVD and Alternaria) and sweetpotato weevil (SPW) in Malawi Give desired root quality colour (white, cream, yellow, orange) to meet local cooking and consumption requirements (high dry matter content, sweetness) Wide and specific adaptability to environmental conditions and cropping systems Contribute to vitamin A source.