Soyabean prices expected to firm

increases in prices.
Soyabean farmers could realise high profits this season.
“Local soyabean farmers have been having problems identifying markets for the crop as processing companies preferred to import the crop from Zambia and South Africa at lower prices.
“For the past few seasons, most soyabean farmers were stuck with the crop but due to the increase in demand, the prices are set to increase,” he said.
Prof Mpepereki said some local companies now preferred to buy from local producers, as importing was now more expensive as global prices increased.
He, however, said although there was an increase in the soyabean planted this year compared to last season, the crop was not going to meet the national demand.
The nation requires 200 000 tonnes of soya annually and plantings are estimated at 67 000 hectares.
Last season farmers planted 30 000 ha of the crop.
Prof Mpepereki said this season the soyabean hectarage was affected by the delay in the onset of the rainy season and shortage of seed on the market.
“The industry is still facing liquidity challenges. The Agriculture Marketing Authority bills raised US$4,5 million instead of the intended US$20 million to fund soyabean production.
Prof Mpepereki said production was also affected by lack of knowledge on the part of farmers and shortage of machinery for seeding, weeding, harvesting and winnowing.
Most of the local farmers operate manually and this is labour intensive and expensive discouraging many from growing big hectarage.
A National Soyabean Association was recently formed to work towards mobilisation of resources.
Soyabean is popular as a substitute for protein, major component in stock feed manufacturing and as a perfect rotation crop.