Nigeria aims to double soybean area by 2027 to cut edible oil imports

Nigeria plans to double its soybean cultivation area by 2027 to improve food security, reduce imports, create jobs and boost the country’s export potential. The plan, implemented under the recently adopted National Soybean Policy and Strategy, aims to expand the current soybean area from less than one million hectares to two million hectares. The expansion is expected to produce an additional 460,000 tonnes of soybeans annually, significantly reducing the country’s production deficit, Chem Analyst News reports.

Nigeria currently produces about 1.35 million tonnes of soybeans per year. However, domestic demand is over 2.7 million tonnes, driven by growth in the edible oil, animal feed and industrial processing sectors. The growing supply-demand imbalance has recently forced Nigeria to resume importing soybeans from the US, a move not seen in the last six years, highlighting the urgent need to achieve self-sufficiency in this key agricultural sector.

To bridge this gap, the government’s strategy includes long-term interventions such as the development of improved seed varieties, soil fertility management, climate-smart mechanization, extension services, public support to farmers, market access, and public-private partnerships.

In addition to meeting demand for food and oilseeds, the initiative is projected to generate about £3.9 trillion (US$2.55 billion) in annual revenue and create one million jobs in 22 states. Importantly, Nigerian soybeans are non-GMO, making them more attractive in international markets where sustainable and organic sources are preferred.

Moreover, the government intends to not only export raw soybeans but also increase value addition by promoting the production of soybean oil, soybean meal, tofu, and protein isolates. Although the implementation plan is still in the drafting stage, stakeholders in the agricultural sector have welcomed the plan, seeing it as a game-changing opportunity to create a competitive and sustainable soybean economy in Nigeria.