Three University of Malawi (UNIMA) students have developed an innovative Automatic Juice Production and Filling System to boost efficiency in the beverage industry.
Tasalifya Mtegha, Wongani Dokotera and Khadija Bamusi’s ground breaking project aims to reduce fruit waste and increase production.
Mtegha, who is the team’s representative said: “We noticed that during harvesting periods, many fruits are wasted nationwide, leading to significant losses. Our goal is to keep fruits fresh for longer and improve production efficiency.”
The system consists of four segments, extraction unit which extracts juice from fruits, reserve unit which is a temporary storage for extracted juice, filling unit which automatically fills juice into bottles and control unit which synchronizes processes and interprets sensor signals.
Mtegha explained, “Initially, we spent around K270,000, using mostly locally-sourced materials.”
However, the team faced challenges in sourcing high-quality materials at affordable prices and achieving precision in automation.
“The initial project was aimed at creating a machine that would handle all processes including cleaning fruits, extracting juice, filling, capping and labeling, but due to limited financial resources this was not achieved,’’ he said.
Mtegha and his team also want to integrate advanced features, including capping, labelling, and monitoring.
“Our system stands out due to its affordability, simplicity, and low energy consumption, while similar systems exist in the market, they are often expensive, with high power ratings including suitable for large operation only,” he said.
Diverson Kashe, Innovation expert and Laboratory Technician at the University of Malawi, praised the project.
“Innovation drives growth and transformation. This system will lead to increased employment, GDP growth, and empower small-scale businesses,” he said.
Kashe emphasized the importance of supporting young innovators saying: “Government and well-wishers must step up to help these talented individuals achieve their goals.”
Contact Tasalifya Mtegha and his team at +265 884 31 05 17 to learn more about their innovative project.
