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

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 ...