Final version of Tropical Legumes II Project Report for Phase 1 - icrisat
Final version of Tropical Legumes II Project Report for Phase 1 - icrisat
Final version of Tropical Legumes II Project Report for Phase 1 - icrisat
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Seed Production and Delivery Systems<br />
Summary<br />
Soybean is among the major industrial and food crops grown on every continent. The crop can be<br />
successfully grown in many areas using low agricultural inputs. Soybean cultivation in Africa has<br />
expanded as a result <strong>of</strong> its nutritive and economic importance and diverse domestic usage. It is also a<br />
prime source <strong>of</strong> vegetable oil in the international market. Soybean has an average protein content <strong>of</strong><br />
40% and is more protein-rich than any <strong>of</strong> the common vegetable or animal food sources found in the<br />
world. Soybean seeds also contain about 20% oil on a dry matter basis, and this is 85% unsaturated<br />
and cholesterol-free. Generally, soybean is emerging as an important feed, food as well as raw material<br />
<strong>for</strong> producing high-quality protein products, which is currently grown on 1.5 million ha in Africa. In the<br />
last five years, soybean area has been increasing at an average <strong>of</strong> 5% per year whilst total production<br />
has been increasing at a rate <strong>of</strong> 7% per year in Africa. Such an increase has not been sufficient to satisfy<br />
the demand <strong>for</strong> soybean on the continent. Africa imports soybean grain and its products worth about<br />
one billion dollars every year. Hence, emphasis should be given to this crop to increase its productivity<br />
and production in Africa and narrow the gap between demand and supply.<br />
Soybean production is constrained by unavailability <strong>of</strong> improved varieties. A number <strong>of</strong> improved highyielding<br />
soybean varieties have been developed but these have not reached many farmers. The major<br />
impediments in soybean adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa are lack <strong>of</strong> awareness on processing and<br />
utilization, low yield, lack <strong>of</strong> market linkage with processors and consumers, weak policy support, lack<br />
<strong>of</strong> high quality seed, and low product prices. This project is making ef<strong>for</strong>ts to address these issues based<br />
on the experience <strong>of</strong> <strong>II</strong>TA in West Africa and that <strong>of</strong> TSBF-CIAT in western Kenya. It is believed that<br />
soybean production will increase as more farmers become aware <strong>of</strong> the potential <strong>of</strong> the crop through<br />
enhanced seed delivery systems.<br />
The activities in this project are focused on soybean value chain system to enhance the adoption and<br />
use <strong>of</strong> improved varieties by farmers.<br />
The project goal was to improve sustainability <strong>of</strong> soybean seed production and delivery systems that<br />
will reach the smallholder farmers in drought-prone areas <strong>of</strong> Sub-Saharan Africa through interventions<br />
designed to:<br />
• Facilitate Foundation Seed production;<br />
• Facilitate Certified Seed production;<br />
• Promote and strengthen seed/input marketing through linkages to private seed companies;<br />
• Create awareness to popularize improved stress-tolerant soybean varieties; and<br />
• Build capacity <strong>of</strong> stakeholders <strong>for</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong> the activities.<br />
Increased seed production<br />
By the completion <strong>of</strong> <strong>Phase</strong> 1, the project directly supported a total <strong>of</strong> 1,856 farmers which included<br />
both men and women that were involved in on-farm demonstrations to popularize improved soybean<br />
varieties in the participating countries. Field observations have shown widespread adoption <strong>of</strong> new<br />
varieties <strong>of</strong> soybean, a substantial increase in yields, as well as an increase in food security and reduction<br />
in poverty. Farmers have reported that problems relating to access to improved seed, low soil fertility<br />
and Striga infestation were being solved, but would require continued support to ensure such problems<br />
do not recur. Problems <strong>of</strong> input availability, especially fertilizer, although addressed still remain but<br />
require improved policies to address farmer concerns. Livelihoods have improved through better food<br />
security and nutrition, reduced poverty, and an increased ability to pay other costs. A strong gender<br />
dimension and special support to empower women involved a group <strong>of</strong> women groups, with special<br />
initiatives <strong>for</strong> soybean processing, value adding, household utilization and marketing to processors.<br />
Progress <strong>of</strong> <strong>Phase</strong> 1<br />
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