Agriculture & Environment
Soybean Breeders Deliberate Strategies for Improving Productivity
The breeders from USA, Brazil and across Africa, including scientists from CGIAR met at Makerere University on 28th November-1st December 2023 to share experiences, best practices and ideas on collaboration, and to brainstorm on ways of improving productivity.
Overview
Soybean (Glycine max) serves as one of the most valuable crops in the world, not only as an oil seed crop and feed for livestock and aquaculture, but also as a good and cheap source of protein for human diet and as a biofuel feedstock. The protein content of soybean is the highest among legume crops, averaging 40% on a dry matter basis. Soy-foods are generally considered to be nutritious and healthy based on their nutrient composition which includes protein, fat, carbohydrates, dietary fibres as well as minerals and phytoestrogens (or isoflavones). Due to its nutritional superiority, soybean-based foods are highly recommended for children under 5 years, expectant mothers, and HIV/AIDS patients. Impact studies have shown that regular soy food consumption can reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering serum cholesterol by about 33%. It can also reduce the risk of rectal cancer by 80%, mammary tumour by 40%, and breast cancer by 50%.
Economic viability
Production of soybean stands at 264 million MT worldwide, with United States of America (USA), Brazil and Argentina being the largest producers. In Africa, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Uganda are the largest producers, with annual volumes estimated at 1.5 million metric tonnes (FAO, 2017). The Soybean Market size is estimated to reach $259 billion by 2030 (IndustryARC – Soybean Market Forecast 2023-2028).
The economic viability of soy production is determined by the commercial utilization of both its sub-products, meal and oil, which, respectively, account for about two thirds and one third of the crop’s economic value. Soymeal accounts for over 60% of world output of vegetable and animal meals and occupies a prominent position among protein feedstuffs used in the production of feed concentrates, while soybean oil is the single most important vegetable oil, accounting for 20% of global vegetable oil production. The widespread use of soybean oil in particular as edible oil is mainly due to (i) its plentiful and dependable supplies, (ii) its competitive price, (iii) its neutral flavour, and its stability in both unhydrogenated and partially hydrogenated form. Indirectly, the rapid rise in the demand for compound feed has contributed considerably to the rise in soybean and soyoil production. Soybean contributes significantly to the total value added by the agricultural sector in the major producing countries and particularly so in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and the USA. In these countries, soybean and its two main sub-products also occupy an important position in export earnings from agriculture as well as in terms of total merchandise exports (FAO). In Uganda, soybean is number one income earner crop in Northern and Eastern Uganda. Farmers in the region earn at least UGX1,200,000 per hectare per season.
Challenges undermining productivity
Despite the significant strides registered by soybean growing countries, and the health and economic benefits that the crop presents, a number of challenges still undermine productivity. These include; pests and diseases, prolonged droughts and prolonged rains, poor agronomic practices, inaccessibility to good seed by farmers, drudgery in the production chain (Planting and harvesting) and market price fluctuations, as well as mismatches in supply and demand. Surging input costs, supply disruptions of fertilizers and alternative crops caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and lingering COVID-19 effects have added more uncertainty and volatility to the soybeans market, driving up the prices. Home grown technologies, local seed business approach, and addressing the whole value chain, are envisaged as some of the strategies to overcome the challenges. Adapting crop management, conserving and improving soil conditions by minimizing tilling, increasing crop diversification, protecting soil from erosion, as well as the development of drought-tolerant varieties, will be key to withstand the emerging climate challenges.
Soybean Breeders meeting at Makerere
Soybean breeders from USA, Brazil, and across Africa including scientists from CGIAR on 28th November 2023 met at Makerere University to share experiences, best practices, and ideas on collaboration, and to brainstorm on ways of improving soybean productivity. The meeting held at the School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS), College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) was organized by the Makerere University Centre for Soybean Improvement and Development (MAKCSID) and the Soybean Innovation Lab (SIL) of the University of Illinois with support from USAID. It was coordinated by Prof. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa, Principal Investigator for the Soybean Breeding and Seed Systems at Makerere, and Prof. Brian Diers from SIL, University of Illinois. It was graced by the Principal of CAES, Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, the Deputy Principal, Prof. Yazidhi Bamutaze, and the Dean, SAS, Dr John Baptist Tumuhairwe. During the meeting, participants shared progress reports of their respective institutions, highlighting the achievements registered in soybean breeding and seed systems, best practices, challenges undermining productivity, and strategies for improvement. In his presentation, Prof. Diers briefed participants on SIL breeding efforts, indicating that 20 varieties had been developed between 2019-2022 up from the 7 developed between 2013-2018. He also shared updates on the renewed funding from USAID, and the support extended towards new breeding programmes at IITA in Nigeria, IITA in Zambia, EIAR in Ethiopia, Makerere University, and SARI in Ghana.
Delivering a presentation on soybean research in Uganda, Prof. Tukamuhabwa noted that the country had registered significant strides with the production of six high yielding varieties namely; Maksoy IN, Maksoy 2N, Maksoy 3N, Maksoy 4N; Maksoy 5N, Maksoy 6N. Recent impact studies indicated that the new varieties developed by MAKCSID were the most planted and accounted for 93% of the soybean varieties grown by Ugandan farmers. Currently, Maksoy 1N is the most widely adopted variety by farmers, while Maksoy 3N has the largest quantities of foundation seed disseminated by the Centre. According to Prof. Tukamuhabwa, the Centre also established a state-of-the-art seed storage facility for early generation seed (Breeders and Foundation seed) and soybean germplasm used for breeding other varieties. Other facilities are soybean processing equipment (soycow) and Soybean roaster that are used to add value to soybeans. The growth of the soybean sub-sector in Uganda is mainly attributed to the availability of a wide range of improved varieties, government investment in soybean research, and increased private sector investment along the soybean value chain. Despite the achievements, Prof. Tukamuhabwa outlined a number of factors undermining soybean seed systems in Uganda including; the presumed high cost of seed by farmers, counterfeit seed in the market, limited interest in self-pollinating crops by most private seed companies, weak seed policy enforcement, limited access to seed, and unpredictable weather conditions. He expressed gratitude to all development partners that have supported the growth of the MAKCSID programme including; USAID through SIL, the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF VODP), NARO, NAcRRI, RUFORUM, AATF, AGRA, Soybean Africa Limited, NAADS, Smart Foods, ISSD Uganda, IITA, and all local soybean stakeholders.
At the meeting, participants including Godfree Chigeza from IITA, Zambia; Abush Tesfaye (IITA, Nigeria), Masresha Yirga (EIAR, Ethiopia), Harun Murithi (SIL), Andrew Scaboo (University of Missouri), Elizabeth De Meyer (University of Missouri), and Carrie Miranda (North Dakota State University) delivered presentations on the progress of their breeding and research programmes.
A major concern arising from the meeting was the increasing threat of rust. Through efforts of the Centre for Soybean Improvement and Development (MAKCSID), the soybean rust pandemic was brought under control, through breeding and dissemination of superior varieties to the farming communities.
Going forward, participants emphasized the need to set up a rust reference centre, early warning systems, and disease nurseries – potential lines for monitoring virulence. They also called for an increase in germplasm acquisition, capacity building for germplasm storage and utilization, introduction of bruchid tolerant genotypes, introduction of soybean genotypes suitable for mechanical harvest, mechanization of production processes, leveraging the scarce research infrastructure, and the development of necessary skills amongst scientists and staff.
In her remarks, the Principal of CAES, Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga expressed gratitude to participants for leading soybean development initiatives. She also appreciated the development partners for supporting the programme. Commenting on the significance of the crop, she said under NDPIII, soybean had been identified as a game changer and one of the crops to improve the country’s food systems. “The crop has been targeted for its oils and nutritional benefits. It is therefore important that we move it to the next level in terms of resistance to diseases, adaption to climate change, and development of fast growing varieties.” She specifically thanked the breeding team led by Prof. Tukamuhabwa for making Makerere the leading Centre in quality soybean seed production and distribution in the country. During their four-day visit, the soybean breeders visited the screen houses, soybean fields, and the Early Generation Seed Unit at MUARIK where they provided enriching insights for improvement. The team also toured Nakabango/Jinja trials as well as the Bugi ZARDI highland soybean trials.
More photos from the meeting
Agriculture & Environment
Mak Strengthens Kasese, Mbale Urban Food Systems through Cross-City Learning
Farmers from Mbale City have gained new skills for strengthening urban food production following a four-day learning exchange programme in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District.
Supported by the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project, the programme, held from 23rd-26th September 2026, brought farmers from Mbale City into direct contact with their counterparts and practitioners engaged in diverse agricultural enterprises. The interaction provided a platform for participants to share experiences, examine practical approaches to production and enterprise management, and identify lessons that could be adapted to strengthen livelihoods and build more resilient urban food systems.
The delegation was led by Prof. Frank Mugagga, Principal Investigator of the RUFS Project and a member of staff in the Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University.
Strengthening Urban Food Systems Through Peer Learning
The exchange forms part of RUFS’ efforts to strengthen urban food systems through peer-to-peer learning, knowledge sharing, practical skills development and collaboration among farmers and other food-system actors. It builds on work undertaken during the first phase of the project (2021-2023) and second phase (2024-2026) in Mbale City and Kasese Municipality, where the project has supported farmers and stakeholders to identify food-system challenges, strengthen local capacities and promote more resilient and sustainable approaches to urban agriculture.
Funded under the AgriFoSe2030 programme, RUFS places strong emphasis on learning through practical experience. Rather than relying solely on classroom-based training, the exchange enabled farmers to observe agricultural enterprises firsthand and learn directly from practitioners. This hands-on approach gave participants an opportunity to explore practical solutions and consider how farming and enterprise-management practices could be adapted to the conditions of Mbale City.
The programme featured learning sessions at agricultural enterprises and production sites in Kasese Municipality and Kabarole District, each offering a different perspective on urban and peri-urban food production, enterprise management and livelihood diversification.
The farmers visited four farms in Kasese Municipality, including Citrus Agrotech Ltd and Sunice Farm, as well as Mubuku Irrigation Scheme.
Farmers’ Engagement at BIGLAD Agri-Tourism Farm Ltd
A major highlight of the programme was the tour of BIGLAD Agri-Tourism Farm Ltd in Kabarole District, an agricultural enterprise founded in 2008. Beyond agricultural production, BIGLAD provides practical training in agriculture, entrepreneurship, financial management and environmental conservation, offering an integrated approach to improving livelihoods through agriculture.
At the enterprise, the Mbale City farmers were introduced to a diverse range of agricultural enterprises, including bananas, tea, vanilla, macadamia, stevia, yacón and chives, alongside fish farming, poultry and livestock production. The experience illustrated how different enterprises can be combined to maximize the use of available land and resources, spread production risks and create multiple sources of household income.
Guided by the proprietor and 2nd runner-up of the 2017 Harvest Money Expo, Mr. Julius Bigabwa, the farmers gained a broader understanding of agriculture as a business enterprise rather than a subsistence activity. They learnt that successful farming requires deliberate planning, proper record-keeping, prudent financial management, careful selection of enterprises and continuous attention to markets.
The visit also underscored the importance of understanding the entire production chain-from selecting suitable enterprises and managing inputs to production, post-harvest handling, value addition and marketing.
Diversification and Value Addition
One of the key lessons from BIGLAD was the value of enterprise diversification. Engaging in a range of crop and animal enterprises can reduce dependence on a single source of income and strengthen farmers’ ability to manage production challenges, market fluctuations and changing environmental conditions. The experience encouraged participants to consider how complementary activities can be integrated to strengthen household livelihoods.
The farmers also gained insights into value addition and efficient resource utilization. Rather than viewing agricultural produce solely as raw commodities, they explored ways of increasing value and returns through improved production practices, processing, packaging and market-oriented approaches. The integration of environmental conservation into agricultural activities further underscored the need to pursue productivity while protecting the natural resources on which farming livelihoods depend.
For the Mbale City farmers, the experience at BIGLAD offered more than exposure to different agricultural enterprises. It provided a practical framework for planning farming as a business, diversifying strategically, adding value, managing resources responsibly and identifying opportunities for more sustainable returns.
Sharing experiences at Citrus Agro-tech Ltd
For Ms. Kabugho Rebecca, a mixed farmer in Kasese and Manager of Citrus Agro-tech Ltd, farming is a journey of learning, adaptation and perseverance. Her story offered the Mbale City farmers an opportunity to learn from the experiences and challenges that have shaped her agricultural enterprise.
Managing poultry, piggery, banana, tomato, mango and vegetable enterprises, Rebecca has learnt the value of diversification, proper record-keeping and understanding the market. Her experience highlighted how decisions concerning labour, feed, records, market access and enterprise selection can influence the performance and sustainability of a farming business.
She also emphasized the importance of securing reliable water supplies to help farmers sustain production under changing weather conditions.
Rebecca’s experience further highlighted the opportunities that arise when farmers move beyond primary production into value addition and other stages of the agricultural value chain. Her hatchery, for example, has created an additional income stream while responding to the needs of other farmers.
Through Citrus Agro-tech Ltd, she also supports small-scale farmers through training in agricultural enterprises and agronomic practices, supplies banana seedlings and provides internship opportunities for agriculture students. Her enterprise has evolved into more than a production site – it is also a space for knowledge sharing, practical learning and mentorship.
Understanding the market has been equally important to her enterprise. In her poultry business, the surrounding community provides a ready consumer base, illustrating how farmers can strengthen their businesses by understanding local demand and aligning production with market needs.
For the Mbale City farmers, Rebecca’s experience provided practical lessons relevant to their own circumstances. It highlighted that progress in farming depends not only on the size of a farm or number of enterprises, but also on how effectively farmers use available resources, learn from experience, respond to challenges and continuously improve their practices.
The learning exchange was not one-way. As they interacted with Rebecca and observed her enterprises, the Mbale City farmers also shared their own experiences and practical suggestions for strengthening her operations. Among the issues discussed was pest management, including approaches that could improve efficiency, reduce wastage and strengthen enterprise performance.
Learning from Other Farms and Mubuku Irrigation Scheme
The learning continued at Sunice Farm, owned by Ms. Eunice Mutooro Sunday, and at the farm of Ms. Masika Nevercate, both in Bulembia Division, Kasese Municipality. Through interactions with the farmers, the Mbale delegation gained practical insights into vegetable production, enterprise management and ways of improving productivity using available resources.
They also learnt from Ms. Grace Masika, a smallholder farmer in Central Division, Kasese Municipality, whose experience offered insights into how small-scale agriculture can contribute to household livelihoods.
At Mubuku Irrigation Scheme, the farmers gained practical insights into irrigated crop production, with a focus on rice and maize. The visit exposed them to different stages of crop production, from land preparation and planting to water management, crop maintenance and harvesting. It also enabled participants to appreciate how irrigation can support more reliable production, improve productivity and reduce dependence on seasonal rainfall.
Lessons Learnt
The programme demonstrated that valuable agricultural knowledge does not only come from formal training or technical experts. Farmers themselves are an important source of practical knowledge, innovation and experience. Direct interaction with fellow farmers gave the Mbale City delegation insights grounded in real-life experience.
The exposure to diversified agricultural enterprises, agri-tourism, entrepreneurship and irrigation provided practical ideas that farmers could reflect on and adapt to their own circumstances. Key lessons included:
i) Diversification can strengthen household incomes: Farmers learnt the importance of diversifying beyond a single enterprise to spread risk and create multiple sources of income. Combining crop production with livestock, poultry and other complementary enterprises can generate income at different times of the year and reduce dependence on one livelihood source.
ii) Farming requires patience, consistency and passion: Experiences shared by host farmers showed that successful farming takes time. Farmers need to remain committed to their enterprises, learn from setbacks and consistently improve their practices. Passion and persistence were identified as important qualities for sustaining an agricultural business.
iii) Strong partnerships create opportunities for growth: The exchange reinforced the value of building relationships with fellow farmers, local institutions, technical experts, markets and other stakeholders. Partnerships can provide access to knowledge, skills, inputs, markets and new opportunities that individual farmers may struggle to access on their own.
iv) Make informed investment decisions: The farmers learnt that not every seemingly attractive agricultural venture is necessarily profitable. Before investing, farmers need to consider the costs of production, available markets, expected returns, labour requirements, risks and the time required to generate income. Careful assessment can help farmers avoid putting resources into enterprises that may not provide adequate returns.
v) Every coin earned from sales should be accounted for: Proper financial record-keeping emerged as an important lesson. Farmers need to know how much they spend on inputs, labour, transport and other operational costs and how much they earn from sales. Keeping track of income and expenditure enables farmers to determine whether an enterprise is profitable and make better decisions about reinvestment.
vi) Plan labour strategically to ensure smooth operations: The farmers learnt that relying heavily on casual or seasonal workers can disrupt farm operations. They recognized the importance of planning labour needs in advance, developing reliable sources of labour and, where feasible, adopting practices and technologies that reduce reliance on labour-intensive activities.
vii) Sustainability requires continuity across generations: Engaging younger family members can help ensure continuity of agricultural enterprises, preserve valuable experience and knowledge, and support the long-term sustainability of farming activities.
viii) Farmers should embrace new opportunities: The exchange encouraged farmers to remain open to new ideas and opportunities that can strengthen their farming enterprises.
ix) Organic farming can support sustainable production: The farmers appreciated how organic practices can improve soil health, reduce reliance on synthetic inputs, lower some production costs and promote environmental sustainability through better use of locally available resources.
x) Understanding the quality of soil helps farmers make better production decisions: Farmers learnt the importance of observing and understanding their soils before deciding what to plant. Simple observations of soil characteristics, combined where possible with appropriate soil testing and technical advice, can help farmers identify crops that are better suited to particular areas and improve productivity.
xi) Adapt farming practices to local conditions: Farmers learnt that crops and practices suited to one area may not perform similarly elsewhere, making it important to consider local weather, soils and growing conditions.
xii) Start small and grow gradually: Farmers do not always need large amounts of capital to start a new enterprise. Beginning on a manageable scale enables them to gain experience, test the market, address challenges and improve their practices before reinvesting and expanding.
Local Government Appreciation
In the course of the field trip in Kasese Municipality, the team interacted with the Deputy Mayor, Mr. Mupango Rabson, who commended the RUFS Project for its timely and forward-looking approach to strengthening urban food systems.
He appreciated the project’s contribution to equipping communities with practical knowledge and solutions for addressing the interconnected challenges of rapid urbanization, food security and livelihoods.
A similar engagement will be held in Mbale City from 7th-10th October 2026.
Photos of other activities/farms toured
Link to the pictorial of the activities:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WyKkMEwefJHufr-ERzcu9NUdI3fzgIYy?usp=sharing
More about RUFS: https://news.mak.ac.ug/2025/08/mak-launches-phase-ii-of-the-rufs-project-to-strengthen-climate-resilience-food-security-in-kasese-mbale-districts/
On Friday 18th September 2026, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Makerere University Business School (MUBS) and the Uganda Tourism Board held a workshop on a theme “ Digital agenda, artificial intelligence to redesign tourism”.
This event was held at Makerere University Business School (MUBS) where 15 universities participated;
- Makerere University
- MUBS
- Kampala International University
- Metropolitan International University
- Muteesa 1 Royal University
- ISBAT university
- Avance University
- Uganda Wildlife and Research Training Institute
- Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training College
- Kyambogo University
- International University of East Africa
- Ndejje University
- Islamic University in Uganda
- St. Lawrence University
- Uganda Christian University
A highlight of the workshop was an inter-university tourism quiz that tested students’ knowledge of tourism, Ugandan culture and heritage, as well as their ability to interpret photographic representations of tourism attractions. Makerere University’s tourism students emerged as the overall winners, demonstrating strong knowledge and understanding of Uganda’s tourism sector. The winning team was presented with a trophy by the Head of the Tourism Department at MUBS, Dr. Celestine Katongole, in recognition of their outstanding performance.
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