By Awyetu Asabe Hope
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has unveiled Africa’s first soybean speed breeding facility in Zambia, a move aimed at fast-tracking crop improvement and strengthening regional food systems.
Soybean is increasingly recognized as a strategic crop in Sub-Saharan Africa, supporting nutrition, livestock feed, agro-industrial development, and rural livelihoods.
Its products—including soybean oil, soymilk, and poultry feed—are crucial for both local consumption and international trade, particularly with rising demand from Asia.
Traditionally, developing improved soybean varieties takes six to eight years before seeds reach farmers.
This lengthy process slows innovation and limits farmers’ ability to respond to emerging challenges.
The new speed breeding facility will shorten this timeline, enabling the rapid development of soybean varieties tailored to farmer and market needs.
The initiative is expected to boost income generation, enhance food security, and expand Africa’s role in global soybean production.
