The Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Federation of Agricultural Commodities of Nigeria (FACAN), Dr. Victor Iyama, has called on stakeholders in the agricultural sector to collaborate with the government in order to boost soybean production and ensure higher farm incomes.
He emphasized that such collaboration could also lead to increased consumption of soybeans as food, capitalizing on the growing demand across the livestock, poultry, and aquaculture industries.
Speaking on the challenges faced by the sector, Dr. Iyama noted that local and export operations are impacted by various obstacles.
He stressed the need for timely reforms to reduce disruptions and scale up the national soybean output.
According to him, the soybean industry holds immense potential to contribute substantially to the nation’s economy, and with coordinated efforts, sustainable growth in both production and exports is achievable.
Dr. Iyama further highlighted that agriculture, particularly soybean production, has become a solution to unemployment in Nigeria, offering job opportunities to youth across various sectors.
He emphasized that the soybean value chain could be a source of income generation and job creation, especially when local youth are supported and trained in agribusiness.
However, he also pointed out several hurdles affecting domestic soybean production, including high input costs related to land, labor, and management.
Farmers continue to face challenges such as low yields, post-harvest losses, lack of capital, pests and diseases, and limited access to technical expertise and markets.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Iyama urged stakeholders to seize the opportunity to compete in the global soybean market, which he believes will lead to increased productivity and improved income for local farmers.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Olam Agri in Nigeria, Anil Nair, reaffirmed the importance of soybean as a cornerstone of the country’s agricultural economy.
He emphasized the crop’s pivotal role in food security, animal feed, and biofuel production.
During a recent equipment donation event in Kwara State, Nair outlined Olam Agri’s commitment to enhancing local soybean production and improving farmers’ productivity and profitability.
He stated, “Through initiatives like the Kwara State Soybean Sustainability Program and our recent donation of threshing machines, Olam Agri is working towards creating a more sustainable and prosperous future for farmers, communities, and the nation as a whole.”
