With research indicating that soybeans are a major food crop globally and an essential component in human and animal nutrition, Ugandan youth are spearheading efforts to boost its production nationwide, fueled by increasing demand both domestically and internationally.
Despite the multitude of soybean varieties cultivated in the country, tailored to specific market needs, challenges such as climate change, low productivity, and underutilization of available production facilities are causing some young farmers to abandon soybean cultivation.
Prof. Naiga Basaaza, speaking at the cottage conference, emphasized the economic potential of soybeans as a source of nutritious food and animal feed, rich in protein, providing attendees with insights into various opportunities within the biofuel and cosmetics industries along the soybean value chain.
“We at Gudie Leisure Farm are thrilled about this opportunity, believing that our youth now have diversified avenues to generate income in their lifetimes,” she added.
In Uganda, soybeans can be planted in two seasons, typically in March-April and August-September.
Under the theme “Enhancing Productivity, Profitability, and Competitiveness of MSEs in the Pulse Industry,” the symposium showcased various lucrative enterprises within different pulse value chains, offering solutions to various challenges.
Recent statistics indicate that over 1 million hectares in Uganda are devoted to pulses, particularly beans, with a slight uptick in pulse production from 2008 to 2021.
Dr. Pamela Paparu, head of the legumes program at the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), emphasized the organization’s commitment to delivering high-quality products, urging farmers to adopt relevant technologies for enhanced farming outcomes.
Dr. Pamela also introduced farmers to the corridor approach model, promoting investment along the value chain and urging its adoption as a means to tailor interventions for specific actors in the chain.
The pulses industry in Uganda currently plays a vital role in providing local communities with the income necessary to improve their socio-economic well-being.
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