The significance of soybean production in the face of changing climates in Africa

The paper is aimed at reviewing literature on the significance of soybeans production in the face of the changing climates in Africa. Using literature from the secondary sources, the paper reviewed how Africa can alleviate poverty by growing soybeans amongst the many legumes due to its multiplicity effect (including easily accessed market due to its high demand, enhancing soil fertility, easy to manage, high protein levels which rural people need most as it is cheaper compared to meat). Africa's majority population gets their livelihoods from agriculture and this in itself shows how important the sector is, yet the continent is faced with food insecurities, poor livelihoods, and high malnutrition levels in the midst of changing climate that is compounding their productivity levels. Achieving sustainable food security and livelihoods for millions of poor producers and consumers across Africa where people are living on $2 a day or less, remains a serious problem, exacerbated by the challenges of malnutrition, climate change, and poor technologies. Soybeans as a legume can play an important role in ensuring sustainable food security for both the current and future generations across the continent. Soybeans farming is important in Africa, where small-scale agricultural systems dominate the food production landscape, as it is a source of inexpensive protein and nutrients to rural households as well as natural fertilization for the soil. Also, the symbiotic nitrogen fixation properties of legumes (soybeans) mean that they are suitable for cultivation on a wide variety of soils in changing climates. Despite this, small-scale farmers are still faced with the following factors; lack of credit funds, recycling of seeds as tested seeds are way too expensive, among which hinders their adoption levels of soybean production.

Automated summary

This paper reviews the significance of soybeans production in Africa in the face of changing climates, highlighting how soybeans can help alleviate poverty and enhance food security in the region. Despite challenges such as lack of credit funds and seed recycling hindering adoption levels, soybeans farming remains important for small-scale agricultural systems in Africa.