Investment Opportunity

                             Investment Opportunity in the Soybean Value Chain.
Introduction:

          Soybean is a leguminous vegetable of the pea family and an important oilseed crop in Nigeria. It is a well sought commodity for its excellent nutritional qualities (quality protein and high percentage oil content) that is particularly recommended for the vulnerable groups (pregnant women, nursing mothers and children). Many leguminous crops provide some proteins, but soybean is the only available crop that provides inexpensive and high quality source of protein (25 – 40%) protein with complete essential amino acids comparable to meat, poultry and eggs. Soybeans consist of more than 36% protein, 30% carbohydrates and excellent amounts of dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals. It also consists of 20% oil which makes it the most important crop for producing edible oil. A by-product from oil production (soybean cake) is an important raw material for the poultry and fish feed industry. It is also a good source of raw material for the high energy food industry for protein fortification of many carbohydrate-based cereal crops like sorghum, maize, rice and millet. Soybean contributes to soil fertility due to its nitrogen fixation. Nigeria is the highest producer of soybean in Africa with an average production of 650,000mt per annum and average yield of 0.93mt/ per ha. Total area present under cultivation is put at 698,925 hactares. Presently Soybean is produced in the following state are Benue, Kaduna, Katsina, Tarabe, Plateau, Niger, Kano, Oyo, Nasarawa, Zamfara, Enugu, Kwara, Bauchi, Kogi, Kebbi, Ondo, FCT, Sokoto, Gombe, Jigawa. 

                                                         

Economic Importance of Product and By-Products from Processing.

     ·        Processed soybean is particularly recommended for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children due to its nutritional value.

·         It contributes to soil productivity due to its nitrogen fixing characteristics. 

·         It is also a good source of raw material for the high energy food  industry for protein fortification of many carbohydrate-based cereal crops like sorghum, maize, rice and millet.
                                                            

·        It is the only available crop that provides inexpensive and high quality source of protein (25 – 40%) protein with complete essential amino acids comparable to meat, poultry and eggs.

·         It also consists of 20% oil which makes it the most important crop for producing edible oil.

                                                                  

·         A by-product from oil production (soybean cake) is an important raw material for the poultry and fish feed industry.

                                            

Itemize Various Government Policies and Incentives that Support the Investment.

·              Growth Enhancement Support (GES) Scheme.

·              (NIRSAL) for granting loans at a single digit interest rate.

·           Linking all actors of soybean value chain (from producers –    consumers).

                                                                

 

 Itemize Market Potentials for Investments Across the Value Chain.

·              The production of soybean certified seed by seed companies has also provided opportunity for out-grower farmers to produce seed under contract farming, giving better value for their farm production.

·              Market potential for investment include: Beverage industry; Animal feeds; Chemicals; Agro-allied; Pharmaceutical; Biodiesel; Confectionery and bakery; Animal / fish feeds; Textile are among the major consumers of processed soybean.

·               Processing into soybean meal, cake and vegetable oil.

·              By-product from oil production (soy cake) can further be processed into livestock and fish meal.

Soybean paim

·              Soy bean can also be processed and flavoured in the production of Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) a meat-like texture to simulate meat products like chicken, sausage, beef which can be used as filling for many fast foods like sausage rolls, hamburgers etc.

·              Soy oil contains linoleic acid and omega-3 for human consumption as well as industrial raw material in the production of paints, varnish, rubber fabrics, cosmetics, soaps, creams, massage oils etc.
 

·              It can also be used in the production of biodiesel.

·              Soybean can be converted into concentrates and isolates, which are in high demand in contemporary industry. 
                                                                   

                                                                   Soymike