Nyankpala, Ghana – January 31, 2025 – Ghana’s soybean industry is set for a transformation following a high-level stakeholder meeting held on January 31, 2025, at the CSIR-Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI) in Nyankpala. The meeting brought together farmers, breeders, scientists, feed millers and processors to deliberate on the key traits needed to develop improved soybean varieties tailored for local and industrial needs.
Organized by CSIR-SARI in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Accelerate Breeding Initiative, the discussions focused on aligning breeding priorities with market demands, ensuring soybean production remains competitive and beneficial to all actors in the value chain.
Delivering the opening remarks, Dr. Francis Kusi, Director of CSIR-SARI, emphasized the institute’s commitment to developing soybean varieties that meet the specific needs of farmers and industry players.
“This meeting is an important step towards ensuring that soybean research is guided by real-world demands. We are focusing on developing high-yielding, pest- and drought-tolerant soybean varieties with improved nutritional and processing qualities. By working closely with stakeholders, we can ensure that the varieties we produce will enhance productivity, boost incomes, and strengthen Ghana’s soybean value chain,” Dr. Kusi stated.
His remarks set the stage for an engaging discussion on how breeding efforts can better support national priorities, food security, and industrial growth.
One of the highlights of the meeting was the interactive breakout sessions, where farmers, processors, and scientists worked in groups to define the ideal traits for improved soybean varieties.
Farmers emphasized the need for:
- Early-maturing and high-yielding varieties
- Drought resistance to withstand erratic rainfall
- Tolerance to pests and diseases for increased productivity
- High pod clearance for mechanized farming to reduce the dependant on manual labours for harvesting which is becoming increasingly scarce and expensive
Benedicta A Kale, a soybean farmer from the Northern Region, shared her perspective:
“We need soybeans that can withstand dry spells and still give us a good harvest. If we get improved varieties, we can produce more and earn better incomes.”
On the other hand, processors focused on:
- Higher oil content for increased profitability
- Protein-rich varieties for food and animal feed production
- Large seed size and better storability for efficient processing
- Low oil content varieties for feed formulation
- Low seed coat percentage and thin seed coat to help them dehull the seed easily.
- Easy-to-remove hilum to help dehull the seed more easily.
- Low phytic acid content helps them to dehull the seeds easier to process.
- High moisture content soybean varieties. (Soybeans with higher moisture content tend to rehydrate more quickly to reduce soaking time)
- Permeable seed coat. (Soybeans with more permeable seed coats allow water to penetrate more easily, reducing soaking time.)
Speaking on the next steps for soybean breeding in Ghana, Dr. Francisca Addae-Frimpomaah, a soybean breeder at CSIR-SARI, emphasized the importance of collaborative research in delivering impactful results.
“As breeders, our goal is to develop varieties that work for everyone—farmers, processors, and consumers. This engagement is critical because it helps us understand exactly what traits to prioritize. Going forward, we will ensure that our breeding programs reflect the needs expressed here today,” Dr. Francisca Addae-Frimpomaah noted.
She also highlighted the importance of ensuring the availability of quality seeds to farmers to maximize productivity and economic returns.
The Deputy Director of CSIR-SARI, Dr. Joseph Adjabeng-Danquah, reiterated the institute’s focus on strengthening collaboration between breeders, farmers, and industry stakeholders to enhance research outcomes.
“Our breeding efforts are now more targeted than ever. We are focusing on varieties that will not only perform well in the field but will also meet the quality requirements of processors and consumers. This means soybeans with better oil and protein content, improved storage characteristics, and suitability for multiple uses,” he noted.
He further emphasized the role of partnerships in ensuring that improved soybean varieties reach farmers and agribusinesses efficiently.
The event underscored the need for continuous engagement between researchers and industry players. Scientists from CSIR-SARI and IITA reassured stakeholders that their inputs would directly influence the next phase of soybean breeding research.
Dr. Dean Muunlani, from IITA, noted:
“This collaboration between breeders, farmers, and processors ensures that the next generation of soybean varieties is not only scientifically advanced but also practically beneficial to the industry.”
The meeting concluded with a commitment to integrating stakeholder recommendations into future breeding programs. CSIR-SARI and its partners pledged to:
✅ Develop varieties that meet identified market demands
✅ Ensure farmers have access to improved seeds
✅ Strengthen collaborations to enhance local production and reduce reliance on soybean imports
Convene an annual Soybean Product Profile and Market Segment Meeting to review ongoing research activities and ensure they align with the agreed-upon traits required by stakeholders across the soybean value chainAs Ghana seeks to boost its soybean industry and reduce soybean importation, this initiative marks a critical milestone in building a more competitive and sustainable value chain.