Ghana’s soybean production potential stands at an impressive 700,000 tonnes per year. However, only about 26 percent of this potential is being realized. The cultivation area covers an estimated 102,000 hectares of the 250,000 hectares of land suitable for production countrywide.
Where do soya beans come from in Ghana?
Around 90 percent of soya bean traded in Ghana is procured from the north, while the middle-belt accounts for 10 percent (Martey et al. 2020). Figure 1 shows recent trends in soya bean production, yield, and area cultivated. Compared to the preceding years, yields have seemingly not increased significantly with the introduction of PFJ in 2017.
What is Ghana doing to improve soybean production?
A ground-breaking initiative aimed at enhancing Ghana’s soybean production and addressing food and nutrition security challenges was launched today at an event attended by the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Dr Bryan Acheampong, the Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Mochizuki Hisanobu, FAO Representative in Ghana, Yurdi Yasmi and key stakeholders.
Why is soya bean a cash crop in Ghana?
Soya bean is growing in importance as a cash crop in Ghana. As a major ingredient in poultry and fish feed, it is especially important for the livestock sector. It also serves as a good source of protein for humans. Although, demand by industries and private consumers has increased in recent years, production and yields remain low.