Nkungahare Instant Flour : A breakthrough innovation by Prof. Umuhozariho

At UR’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Science (UR-CAFF), a team of researchers is transforming local crops into life-changing solutions. Leading this effort is Associate Professor Marie Goretti Umuhozariho, Principal Investigator of the project “Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes and Soybeans Blended Instant Flour.”

Nkungahare Instant Flour, trademarked and patented through the Rwanda Development Board with support from the National Council for Science and Technology, is a convenient product rich in vitamin A, proteins, carbohydrates, and essential minerals. The flour blends biofortified orange-fleshed sweet potatoes with soybeans, making it both nutrient-dense and easy to prepare.

Prof Umuhozariho led a team to come up with Nkungahare Instant Flour, a convenient product rich in vitamin A

“What makes Nkungahare unique is its dual advantage ; it saves time in preparation and provides vital nutrients that are often missing in regular diets,” explains Prof. Umuhozariho.

Laboratory analyses show the flour is safe, suitable for all age groups, and can maintain its quality for up to six months at room temperature. The research team which includes other five researchers has conducted sensory and market tests, all of which brought back positive feedback.

Despite its promise, Nkungahare Instant Flour is not yet available on the market due to limited resources. The main challenge remains a lack of capital to set up a processing unit and manufacturing facility. Prof. Umuhozariho believes the University of Rwanda can play a pivotal role in bridging this gap.

“Our dream is to see Nkungahare on every family’s table ; affordable, accessible, and changing the way we nourish our communities,” she says.

Nkungahare Instant Flour is more than a product ; it represents the potential of local research to address nutritional deficiencies, improve public health, and inspire entrepreneurship. With the right support, it could become a household staple and a model for how science-driven innovations can transform lives.