Soybean Production In Uganda

The Growing Case for Soybean Cultivation in Uganda

Soybean is being promoted in Uganda as a smart multipurpose cash and food crop. It enhances soil fertility while requiring low inputs, providing a sustainable staple food and livestock feed, as well as health and export revenues.

While soybean production in Uganda currently stands at just 80,000 metric tons harvested annually, efforts are underway to boost yields and farming area. Government agriculture extension programs are providing farmer training and access to early maturing seed varieties from Brazil and India that perform well across Central and Eastern Uganda.

The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) is also working with international partners to test new soybean lines adaptable to local microclimates. Refined agronomic practices around optimal sowing depths, densities and harvesting methods are demonstrating yield improvements between 40-100%.

Soybean offers multiple revenue streams for farmers in Uganda via sales for oil extraction, cash earnings from the poultry feed industry, and sustainable integration into smallholder rotations with maize and cassava. 

With investments in research and farmer support, soybean production can potentially hit over 500,000 metric tons per year by 2030. Meeting robust local demand for soybean food products, animal feed and vegetable oil would improve Uganda's national food security and import substitution.