Mr Yaw Afrifa, Executive Secretary, Soya Value Chain Association of Ghana (SVCAG), says the establishment of a National Development Plan for Soya will streamline, guide, and regulate the sector to maximise its benefits.
The plan is expected to set up a pricing regime and put in place an effective structure for the value chain, especially for the smallholder farmers in the country.
Mr Afrifa, who said this at a press briefing on the Export Restriction Committee on soybeans expressed satisfaction about the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the Mastercard Foundation, and other partners to fund the development of the plan.
“These organisations have engaged a consultant to do a valuation analysis for us. So, let’s pray that in the next month or two, we can hear the Minister of Agriculture saying they have started developing the national strategy plan for us,” he said.
Research has revealed that the USA is now using soya oil as fuel, a potential crop to revolutionise the country’s development.
The sector, he stressed, could contribute better than Cocoa in terms of revenue if harnessed effectively and efficiently.
He said the Association was intensifying its advocacy efforts to push for the restructuring and improved efficiency of the Export Restriction Committee, which was responsible for granting permits for the exportation of soya beans and other grains.
At the heart of the Association’s advocacy are the Restrictions on Exportation of Soya Bean Regulation 2020 (L.I. 2432) and the Export and Import—Restrictions on Exportation of Grains Regulation 2022 (L.I. 2432), passed on September 1, 2023.
He said while the law included grains such as maize and paddy rice, it had not adequately addressed the concerns of soya farmers and industry players as SVCAG lacked representation on the Export Restriction Committee.
Mr Afrifa appealed to authorities to include the Association on the Export Restriction Committee with voting rights to ensure that the interests of the soya value chain were represented.
The GIZ-implemented Sustainable Employment through Agribusiness project is supporting SVCAG in their advocacy efforts, which highlights the significant role of soya in Ghana’s economy and drives meaningful reforms to benefit the sector.
Mr Randy Haile Selase Snr, Chairman, North West Soya Value Chain Association, said the restrictions on exportation of soya would reduce farmers income and discourage production and called for urgent attention.
He called for a comprehensive analysis and effective consultation within the value chain to address challenges in the sector.
Mr Isaac Papanko, Chairman, Northern Regional Chairman of Soya Value Chain Association, said women dominated the sector as the biggest producer of soya, helping to improve their livelihoods.
Soyabean was introduced into Ghana in 1901. Statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture in 2019 revealed that during the past decade, production has increased steadily from 74,800 Mt in 2008 to 176,670 Mt in 2018.
