ECONOMICS OF SMALLHOLDER SOYABEAN PRODUCTION IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: A CASE STUDY OF FACTORS DETERMINING INCREASED SMALLHOLDER PRODUCTION IN ZIMBABWE

Abstract

This paper contributes to the discussion on the economics and factors determining widespread soyabean production by smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Agronomic research carried out in several tropical countries has concluded that here is potential for increasing small farm soyabean production through adoption of improved varieties, and management practices such as appropriate nitrogen and phosphorus fertitiser placing and application rates, appropriate planting time and seed inoculation. However, it has been argued that if soyabean was consumed in various forms at the household level, leading to improvement in family nutrition and income, this would provide the incentive for widespread adoption. Introduction of appropriate processing technologies and information would be critical factors for adoption. As a result effort been invested in research on-farm processing to encourage home use. This paper looks at factors determining increased soyabean production by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. It is based on a longitudinal study of a progrmme for promoting smallholder soyabean production through transfer and adoption of improved production technologies and promotion of home processing and use of soyabean products. The findings of the study suggest that there is limited scope for expansion of soyabean as an immediate food crop at the household level. Home use and load demand for processed soyabean products are not a sufficient stimulus for widespread adoption. If the farmers can fit soyabeans into their farming system, the potential for increased production is a cash crop.