Soybeans in sub-Saharan Africa: modelling possibilities and potential
by Abigail Amissah-Arthur, S.S. Jagtap
Interdisciplinary Environmental Review (IER), Vol. 9, No. 1, 2007

Abstract: Africa is faced with the problems of food shortage and protein-deficiency diseases. Soybean has been suggested as a solution to the problem of feeding the groups at risk of malnutrition. Soybean cultivation is expanding in sub-Saharan Africa with the increasing adoption by small holders. Nigeria, the most populous country in sub-Saharan Africa produces the largest amount of Soybeans. However, Soybean production is constrained by a number of problems which include limitations posed by soil and other environmental factors. For production to expand further, the first challenge is to define the environment within which the soybeans could be grown and subsequently the development of suitable genotypes and production packages to particular environments to maximize productivity. This paper takes on this challenge by devising a methodology linking simple crop-climate models, process based Cropgro-Soybean model and the GIS in Nigeria. Results suggest information from agroclimatic suitability should be taken with caution, and shows the need to review databases containing crop climatic requirements used in suitability assessments. Simulation yields are likely to accurately describe relative trends caused by environmental variations than merely using climatic elements. The methodology demonstrated here can be used to select an effective network of minimal experimental sites for production system improvement.

Online publication date: Mon, 13-May-2013

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