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A Review on Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Prospects of Soybean Production in Ethiopia

Received: 17 March 2025     Accepted: 3 April 2025     Published: 28 April 2025
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Abstract

Soybeans are an important crop that contributes significantly to nutrition, agriculture, and other sectors. Their versatility and nutritional profile make them an important part of diets all around the world. As worldwide demand for sustainable food sources grows, soybeans' relevance is projected to increase, emphasizing the need for ongoing research and innovation in soybean cultivation and processing. As Ethiopia's agricultural sector undergoes transformation, soybean production emerges as a key driver of economic growth and food security. The country's favorable climate and diverse agro-ecological zones offer immense opportunities for farmers and investors to capitalize on the rising global demand for soybeans. However, the sector faces challenges such as limited access to quality seeds, inadequate agricultural infrastructure, and fluctuating market prices, which hinder sustainable production. This review examines the opportunities, challenges, and future prospects of soybean production in Ethiopia, highlighting the need for improved agricultural practices, pest management strategies, and infrastructure development to overcome these obstacles. By addressing these challenges, Ethiopia can unlock its full potential in soybean production, contributing to food security, economic growth, and poverty reduction. This review provides insights for policymakers, farmers, and investors to harness the potential of soybean production in Ethiopia and ensure a sustainable and profitable future for the sector.

Published in Research & Development (Volume 6, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.rd.20250602.11
Page(s) 30-34
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Soybean, Challenges, Opportunities

References
[1] Ababa, A. (2019) ‘Ministry of Agriculture Sustainable Land Management Program Climate Smart Agriculture A Field Manual for Extension workers’, (January).
[2] Abebe, A. T., and Habtegebriel, M. H. (2018), ‘Progress of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] Breeding and Genetics Research in Ethiopia: A Review’, (January).
[3] Afework, H. and Adam, B. (2018) ‘Cost and returns of soybean production in Assosa Zone of Benishangul Gumuz Region of Ethiopia’, Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics, 10(11), pp. 377–383.
[4] Agegn, A., Bitew, Y. and Ayalew, D. (2022) ‘Response of yield and quality of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] varieties to blended NPSZnB fertilizer rates in Northwestern Ethiopia’, Heliyon, 8(5), p. e09499.
[5] Cobb, J. N. et al. (2019), ‘Enhancing the rate of genetic gain in public-sector plant breeding programmes: lessons from the breeder’s equation’, Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 132(3), pp. 627–645.
[6] Dabesa, A. and Tana, T. (2021) ‘Response of Soybean (Glycine max L. (Merrill)) to Bradyrhizobium Inoculation, Lime, and Phosphorus Applications at Bako, Western Ethiopia’, 2021.
[7] Diers, B., and Scaboo, A. (2019), ‘The State of Soybean in Africa : Soybean Yield in Africa’, Farmdoc Daily, 9, p. 4.
[8] Ermiyas, T. (2018), ‘GGE biplot phenotypic stability analysis of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merril] genotypes’, Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science, 10(12), pp. 324–335.
[9] Getnet, B. E. (2019), ‘Soybean (Glycine Max L. Merill) Genetic Improvement in Ethiopia: a Review’, International Journal of Research—Granthaalayah, 7(3), pp. 189–199.
[10] Hailu, M. and Kelemu, K. (2017) ‘Trends in Soy Bean Trade in Ethiopia Trends in Soy Bean Trade in Ethiopia’, (May).
[11] Jeong, S. C. et al. (2019), ‘Genetic diversity patterns and domestication origin of soybean’, Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 132(4), pp. 1179–1193.
[12] Kebede, E. (2020) ‘Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology Grain Legumes Production in Ethiopia : A Review of Adoption, Opportunities, Constraints and Emphases for Future Interventions’, 8(4), pp. 977–989.
[13] Mihret, Y. (2017), ‘A review on heritable improvement in yield potential and morphological traits of cereal and pulse crops in Ethiopia’, Global Journal of Agricultural Research and Reviews Review, 5(1), pp. 239–243.
[14] Sileshi, Y., Yirga, M. and Habtegebriel, M. H. (2020) ‘Performance of Released Soybean Varieties at Jimma, South Western Ethiopia Performance of Released Soybean Varieties at Jimma, South Western Ethiopia’, (February).
[15] Tesfaye, A. (2018) ‘Progress of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] Breeding and Genetics Research in Ethiopia : A Review’, 2013, pp. 67–77.
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  • APA Style

    Mekonen, G. S. (2025). A Review on Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Prospects of Soybean Production in Ethiopia. Research & Development, 6(2), 30-34. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rd.20250602.11

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    ACS Style

    Mekonen, G. S. A Review on Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Prospects of Soybean Production in Ethiopia. Res. Dev. 2025, 6(2), 30-34. doi: 10.11648/j.rd.20250602.11

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    AMA Style

    Mekonen GS. A Review on Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Prospects of Soybean Production in Ethiopia. Res Dev. 2025;6(2):30-34. doi: 10.11648/j.rd.20250602.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.rd.20250602.11,
      author = {Getachew Shiferaw Mekonen},
      title = {A Review on Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Prospects of Soybean Production in Ethiopia
    },
      journal = {Research & Development},
      volume = {6},
      number = {2},
      pages = {30-34},
      doi = {10.11648/j.rd.20250602.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rd.20250602.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.rd.20250602.11},
      abstract = {Soybeans are an important crop that contributes significantly to nutrition, agriculture, and other sectors. Their versatility and nutritional profile make them an important part of diets all around the world. As worldwide demand for sustainable food sources grows, soybeans' relevance is projected to increase, emphasizing the need for ongoing research and innovation in soybean cultivation and processing. As Ethiopia's agricultural sector undergoes transformation, soybean production emerges as a key driver of economic growth and food security. The country's favorable climate and diverse agro-ecological zones offer immense opportunities for farmers and investors to capitalize on the rising global demand for soybeans. However, the sector faces challenges such as limited access to quality seeds, inadequate agricultural infrastructure, and fluctuating market prices, which hinder sustainable production. This review examines the opportunities, challenges, and future prospects of soybean production in Ethiopia, highlighting the need for improved agricultural practices, pest management strategies, and infrastructure development to overcome these obstacles. By addressing these challenges, Ethiopia can unlock its full potential in soybean production, contributing to food security, economic growth, and poverty reduction. This review provides insights for policymakers, farmers, and investors to harness the potential of soybean production in Ethiopia and ensure a sustainable and profitable future for the sector.
    },
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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    AB  - Soybeans are an important crop that contributes significantly to nutrition, agriculture, and other sectors. Their versatility and nutritional profile make them an important part of diets all around the world. As worldwide demand for sustainable food sources grows, soybeans' relevance is projected to increase, emphasizing the need for ongoing research and innovation in soybean cultivation and processing. As Ethiopia's agricultural sector undergoes transformation, soybean production emerges as a key driver of economic growth and food security. The country's favorable climate and diverse agro-ecological zones offer immense opportunities for farmers and investors to capitalize on the rising global demand for soybeans. However, the sector faces challenges such as limited access to quality seeds, inadequate agricultural infrastructure, and fluctuating market prices, which hinder sustainable production. This review examines the opportunities, challenges, and future prospects of soybean production in Ethiopia, highlighting the need for improved agricultural practices, pest management strategies, and infrastructure development to overcome these obstacles. By addressing these challenges, Ethiopia can unlock its full potential in soybean production, contributing to food security, economic growth, and poverty reduction. This review provides insights for policymakers, farmers, and investors to harness the potential of soybean production in Ethiopia and ensure a sustainable and profitable future for the sector.
    
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