Soybean

Features and characteristics:

  • Soy bean is a versatile legume widely grown for its edible bean which has numerous uses.               soybean preparation

Varieties:
Malawi has the following varieties of Soybean:

  • Makwacha
  • Nasoko
  • Ocepara-4
  • Tikolore
  • Solitaire
  • Soprano

Benefits:

  • Soybean is rich in protein, vegetable oil and essential minerals.
  • This crop has the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and therefore, improves soil fertility.
  • Soybeans are also processed for their oil and protein for the animal feed. Other products include soy milk, soy flour, soy protein and soya pieces

Role and Status in Malawi Export:

  • Malawi is among the top 40 producers of soybean in the world. The crop holds great potential as a source of foreign exchange for country.

Soybean Producers

  • The main growers of soybeans are smallholder farmers.

Location, Topography

  • In Malawi soybean producing districts are concentrated in the Plateaus. Kasungu, Lilongwe and Mzuzu are reported to be biggest producers of soybeans with high hectarage.

Production and Supply Capacity

  • Malawi is among the top 40 producers of soybean. In 2010 Malawi’s share of soybean production accounted for 5% of Africa’s total production of the crop.