"The functionality of any food system regardless of type and scale requires that the activities appropriate for that particular food system should be satisfactorily implemented to achieve the desired goals. However, it is commonly understood that there are always challenges in implementation of activities in food systems which makes them either non-functional or less functional in achieving the overall goals. With respect to sunflower, the available literature in Malawi suggests that despite its potential to improve the social-economic status of the farming communities, there are challenges associated with the crop on production, agro-processing and value addition as well as commercialization. Against this background, the main goal this project is to improve functionality of food systems on production, processing and marketing sunflower among small holder farmers and small-scale processors in Mzimba, Mchinji, Rumphi, Kasungu districts by 2024. This goal will be achieved by unlocking the potential of sunflower value chain by improving productivity (for example access to improved and certified seeds and extension services), developing capacity of small-scale farmers and processors in agro-processing and value addition to commercialize the sector in selected districts in Malawi of Rumphi, Kasungu, Mchinji, and Mzimba. In order to fully understand the issues limiting the potential of sunflower in improving the socio-economic status of the farming communities in the selected districts, a baseline survey will be conducted focusing on production, agro-processing and commercialization of sunflower. From the results of the baseline, activities will be strategically implemented to address the gaps identified in production, agro-processing and commercialization of sunflower. Upon successful implementation of the activities, it is expected that there will be: (i) increased knowledge and skills in production of sunflower, (ii) strengthened capacity of small scale-processors in agro-processing, value addition and commercialization of sunflower and (iii) improved agribusiness and profits. It is further expected that there will be capacity building (production, agro-processing and commercialization of sunflower) with respect to extension services staff working in selected districts as well as postgraduate trainings. Upon successful implementation of the activities guided by the baseline survey findings, it is expected that the functionality of the food system on sunflower based on production, agro-processing and commercialization will be improved which will in turn improve the socio-economic status of the farming communities in the selected districts."