388-7 Soybean Adoption in Africa.

See more from this Division: Special Sessions
See more from this Session: Symposium--Transforming Smallholder Agronomy in Africa

Wednesday, November 9, 2016: 9:45 AM
Phoenix Convention Center North, Room 226 C

Kerry M. Clark, Soybean Innovation Lab, University of Missouri, New Bloomfield, MO and Kristin Bilyeu, USDA-ARS, Columbia, MO
Abstract:
A challenge in developing countries is the low productivity of small holder farmers that results in high levels of rural poverty, malnutrition, and emigration to urban centers for more gainful employment. Additionally, low productivity limits domestic food availability, supports high food inflation, and low levels of national food security. Thus the goal for policymakers is how to empower small holders in the fight to greater food security, both rural and urban.  To this end, the introduction of new, more productive crops such as soybean supply much-needed protein and oil for livestock and human nutrition, and serve as an economic engine across a large value chain.  This value chain stretches from inputs, such as inoculum, fertilizer seed, and mechanization to grain producers, such as farmers, and onto users such as processors, feed producers, livestock producers, and food manufacturers. The mission of the Soybean Innovation Lab is to provide the technical expertise and evidence that supports effective decision making by actors across the entire soybean value chain.

See more from this Division: Special Sessions
See more from this Session: Symposium--Transforming Smallholder Agronomy in Africa