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Boosting Economic Growth Through Soybeans
Professor Samuel Adjei-Nsiah, former Head of the Forest and Horticultural Crops Research Centre at Kade, has called on the government to increase its investment in soybean production, particularly in the Northern Region. He emphasised that soybeans have immense potential not only to boost economic growth but also to create employment and enhance food security.
Challenges Faced by Soybean Farmers
Speaking at an inaugural lecture at the University of Ghana (UG), Legon, Prof. Adjei-Nsiah highlighted several challenges faced by soybean farmers in the region. These include poor soil fertility, climate variability, limited adoption of yield-enhancing technologies, and insufficient access to mechanisation services. These issues have contributed to the low levels of soybean production in the Northern Region.
Export Concerns and Market Imbalance
Prof. Adjei-Nsiah also expressed concern over the quantity of soybeans being exported from Ghana. In 2023, approximately 47,230 metric tonnes of soybeans were exported to countries such as the USA, India, Turkey, Canada, and Singapore through official channels. However, he noted that unofficial exports through porous borders were likely double that amount. He pointed out that 72% of the exports went to the USA, which produces 100 million metric tonnes of genetically modified (GMO) soybeans annually. This raised questions about why the USA would import organic soybeans from Ghana when it already produces its own.
The Value of Organic Beans
According to Prof. Adjei-Nsiah, the soybeans produced in Ghana are organic and non-GMO, in contrast to the genetically modified (GMO) soybeans produced in countries like the USA. He argued that while the USA processes its GMO soybeans and exports them to Ghana, Ghana is exporting its organic beans to the same countries without receiving premium prices for them. He emphasised the need for Ghana to prioritise the consumption of its organic soybeans and reduce its reliance on imports.
Soybeans as an Import Substitute
Prof. Adjei-Nsiah suggested that soybeans could serve as an adequate substitute for Ghana’s imports. He highlighted its potential in the production of poultry feed and feed for other animals, which could reduce the country’s reliance on imported animal feed and enhance local agricultural productivity.
Research Advancements in Soybean Production
Over the past decade, Prof. Adjei-Nsiah and his research team have worked tirelessly to improve soybean production in the Northern Region. Through capacity-building programs for farmers and extension agents, as well as participatory research and on-farm trials, they have developed drought-tolerant, high-yielding, and disease-resistant soybean varieties. Furthermore, they have used Information Communication Technology (ICT) tools to provide smallholder farmers with real-time agronomic advice, weather updates, and market information.
Recognition for Contributions
Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor of UG, Legon, commended Prof. Adjei-Nsiah and his research team for their significant contributions to enhancing soybean production in the Northern Region. Their efforts have not only improved local soybean yields but also helped strengthen the agricultural sector as a whole.
The Call for Strategic Investment
In conclusion, Prof. Adjei-Nsiah urged the government to increase its investment in soybean production as a means of driving economic growth, reducing poverty, and improving food security in the Northern Region. He emphasised the need for strategic measures to address the challenges faced by farmers and to maximise the country’s potential in soybean production.
