Posted on February, 26, 2019 at 09:58 am
Government is considering including soybean among strategic crops alongside others it is promoting that will boost farmers’ earnings.
This was announced by the Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Minister Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja when launching a new soybean variety (Maksoy 6N) developed by Makerere University at Kabanyoro Agricultural Research Institute in Wakiso District on February22.
“Soybean is now both strategic and a priority crop for Uganda that is why I am soon taking it to cabinet for consideration, it must be put on the list of priority crops for the country because countries like Brazil and USA made it a number one crop,” the Minister said in press statement.
The new variety is a joint project between Makerere University with financial support from the Vegetable Oil Development Project (VODP) of the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries.
VODP Manager Connie Magomu Masaaba said under the project, government through the Ministry of Agriculture has been able to sponsor more research on oil crops like soybean, simsim (sesame) and others in order to satisfy the demand for both locally and at the international market level.
Soybean is one of the most nutritious crops in the world containing approximately 40% protein and 20% oil, both of which are vital in human and animal diet. Soybean has become one of the most promising food crops available to improve the diets of millions of people in the world.
It contains at least 100% more proteins with yields of 5-10 times more protein per unit area than any other crop. It is also balanced with all the essential amino acids which the body cannot manufacture.
According to Scientists, the amount of proteins found in soybean is similar to animal proteins, which makes it the only substitute to animal and fish protein. For this reason, soybean based foods are highly recommended by nutritional specialists to children, mothers and HIV patients.
The Maksoy 6N is a product of Prof Phinehas Tukamuhabwa, a Makerere University plant breeder. Tukamuhabwa said the new variety is resistant to soybean rust disease, harsh conditions, wet conditions and pod shuttering, alongside maturing in a short period.
“This variety matures in less than 120 days and produces over 20 tonnes per hectare. We encourage government to promote it such that farmers can experience the economic benefits associated with this variety,” he said.
The Maksoy6N It is the sixth soybean variety to be released by Makerere University’s Department of Agricultural Production since 2004.
Source: East Africa Business Week (EABW)