Various researches hail soybean as the most protective bean containing 40 per cent protein as compared to other legumes which contain 20-25 per cent protein. It has the highest protein content amongst plant products. It could also be used to replace the animal protein in dishes. And it is the only vegetable food that contains all eight essential amino acids, according to the researchers.
Agricultural Economist Expert with Jimma University Wondimu Tesfaye recalled that it was 50 years back that soybean seeds found their way into Ethiopia. However, it could not manage to join the shortlist of staple crops like wheat and teff.
Wondimu was speaking at the 3rd Soybean Stakeholders’ Platform Workshop recently organized by the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) and Agri-Business Support Facility (ABSF) Project—run by the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations in collaboration with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands.
Wondimu said that soybean is a very important crop as it chimes in with a wide range of ecological zones. He also said that it has the potential to penetrate the global market and to end malnutrition.
In Ethiopia, he noted there is a conducive agro-ecological environment for the thriving of soybean. But as it is not enjoying due attention even by the Ministry of Agriculture, it lacks market linkage and chain, Wondimu added. Actually, he ascribes lack of awareness among the general public regarding its use as one of the setbacks that stifled the crop from joining the rank of staple crops.
The Expert further indicated that applying the project run by Jimma University he had approached beneficiaries of soybean farms in the western part of the country. He said that the community has now confirmed the benefit that accrues from growing soybean, which is now gaining credence in their eyes. People there have begun preparing different dishes making use of it. But they are afraid to come up with bumper soybean harvest apprehensive the merits of soybean has not yet sunk in among the society. Market prognosis that doesn’t promise handsome paybacks at this stage compels them to fight-shy. Despite all these pitfalls, the production of soybean has been increasing fast over the last five years.
Thus, Wondimu said given the fact that soybean has a great place in the global market and there is a growing interest among farmers to produce it.
Gaurav Vijayvargiya is a Global Business Head at Pramukh Agro Industries, a company which produces packed food products prepared from soybean.
Vijayvargiya said that groundless accusation being dished out by the social media relating soybean with cancer as well as storage and handling problems of yields are the challenges to soybean marketability and consumption.
The recipe on the product packing was not suitable to the Ethiopian market. Thus, he said creating awareness leveraging the media and research market well to create value chains, among others, are the way forward to circumvent hurdles.
ABSF Project Advisor Gertjan Becx said that the government of Ethiopia and Netherlands have begun to work together in this sector as there is a huge opportunity in the country in terms of land, climate change and market. He also said that soybean serves as a fodder for animal consumption as Ethiopia is endowed with huge livestock population. But much remains to be done to make soybean more accessible and a sought-after crop.
EIAR Socio-Economy Research Extension Directorate Director Dr. Dawit Alemu on his part said that, “One of the key measures we envisage is bringing together all stakeholders in the system.”
Dr. Dawit noted that owing to lack of promotion and capacity technological outputs are confined in research centers inaccessible to farmers.
Wrapping up, he said that such a platform is a very crucial as the harvest of soybean is at an infant stage in Ethiopia. “Thus we need to create workable environment and policies that promote the involvement of the private sector as well,” he added.
[www.ethpress.gov.et]