The Mahavonjy association, in the municipality of Anjado Betroka in Southern Madagascar, intervenes in the field of agriculture and animal husbandry. Over the past three years, thanks to the Mionjo project, its members have discovered the benefits of orange-fleshed sweetpotatoes. In May 2024, the association became fully operational, marking the start of a remarkable transformation.
With the acquisition of an orange-fleshed sweetpotato chip machine, Mahavonjy saw its income increase significantly, reaching MGA 150,000 (30 USD) per week and MGA 600,000 (120 USD) per month. This success has improved the standard of living of the association’s members. The profits generated have been reinvested in the purchase of 129 kg of groundnut seeds, and bean seeds are planned for January 2025.
The development of the orange-fleshed sweetpotato business has led to the opening of a grocery store in Ihosy, the capital city of the neighbouring region Ihorombe, where orange-fleshed sweetpotato chips are also sold. After sorting the tubers for chips, the remaining sweetpotatoes tubers are given to children, helping to combat malnutrition, while the sweetpotato residues are used to feed the members’ livestock. According to farmers, the orange-fleshed sweetpotato is easy to digest and has no side effects. Therefore, it has become a precious food for the community.
Cultivated in all seasons, orange-fleshed is available across the year, and transformed into chips offered in the packets of different prices: MGA1000 (0,21 USD), MGA 500 (0,11 USD) and MGA 200 ( 0,042 USD) for schoolchildren. Thanks to awareness-raising campaigns run by value chain specialists, the people of Anjado Betroka have discovered and adopted orange-fleshed sweetpotato products.
The Mahavonjy association plans to take part in major fairs in the region to promote its products. Meaning “help”, Mahavonjy provides invaluable support to its members, enabling them to gradually achieve their goals and improve their daily lives.
The International Potato Center, financed by the World Bank’s Mionjo project, supports small and medium-sized enterprises, including the Mahavonjy association, by providing an orange-fleshed sweetpotato processing machine, accompanied by various trainings on entrepreneurship, food technology and nutrition.