Zambia Explores Soybean Cooperation with China and AGRA Delegation
The Minister of Agriculture, Mr Reuben P. Mtolo, this morning hosted a delegation from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) at the Ministry of Agriculture.
The delegation was led by Dr Cheng Cheng, Lead for Asian Partnerships, accompanied by Mr Maziko Phiri, AGRA Country Manager for Zambia. Also in attendance were professors from Nanjing Agricultural University, visiting Zambia for the first time.
Discussions centred on enhancing cooperation in capacity building, agricultural research, and the development of structured collaborations along the soybean value chain. The visiting professors highlighted the long history of soybean production in China, where the crop originated over 8,000 years ago, and outlined the country’s continued investment in research and development, including seed breeding, seedling development, agronomic techniques, and processing.
China, one of the world’s largest soybean markets, currently imports significant volumes from countries such as the United States and Argentina. The delegation identified Zambia as a potential partner for soybean collaboration, citing favourable agro-ecological conditions, availability of water, and suitable soils for soybean cultivation.
The meeting also addressed challenges facing the sector, including the coordination of soybean farmers, access to reliable markets, and the lack of primary processing facilities. The delegation noted that farmers often face uncertainty due to unorganised markets and limited off-take arrangements, which discourages production and exposes them to exploitation.
Mr Mtolo emphasised the importance of market development, logistics, and research as essential components of value chain growth. He noted that increased production must be supported by processing capacity, organised trading systems, and guaranteed off-takers, including the establishment of anchor farms, to provide farmers with a stable market.
The Minister reiterated that President Hakainde Hichilema has set a national target for Zambia to produce one million metric tonnes of soybeans annually by 2031. Achieving this goal will require strengthened partnerships with development partners, research institutions, and international markets, particularly in Asia.
The delegation also outlined ongoing and proposed training programmes covering the entire soybean value chain, including breeding, cultivation, processing, logistics, and agricultural economics, aimed at building local expertise and supporting sustainable sector growth.
The Ministry of Agriculture reaffirmed its commitment to promoting international collaboration, strengthening research linkages, and supporting market-centred approaches to ensure the transformation and competitiveness of Zambia’s soybean subsector.
