EFFECTS OF SOYBEAN VALUE ADDITION ON INCOME AND FOOD SECURITY OF FARM HOUSEHOLDS IN SABOBA DISTRICT

Abstract

Despite the increasing cultivation of soybeans in Saboba District, limited research exists on how value addition affects household income and food security. This study examines the impact of soybean value addition on the income and food security of farm households in Saboba District. A purposive and simple random sampling technique was used to select 401 farm households who were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Additionally, desk research was conducted to review the relevant literature, and the Endogenous Switching Regression (ESR) model was employed to analyze the effects of soybean value addition on household income and food security. The findings indicate that training on soybean value addition, access to inputs, tractor services, household size, sex of respondents, and membership in farmer-based organizations (FBOs) significantly influences farmers' participation in soybean value addition. While age, extension service access, and land ownership negatively affected participation, other factors such as training and access to processing inputs had a positive impact. The study reveals that households engaged in soybean value-added experience higher per capita income levels than non-participants. Additionally, soybean value addition significantly reduced household food insecurity by increasing food availability, affordability, and dietary diversity. Based on these findings, this study recommends that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), in collaboration with non-governmental groups like the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), promote soybean value addition among farmers as a strategy to improve household income. Furthermore, it is suggested that MoFA, along with key stakeholders such as the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) and the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (SARI), integrate soybean value addition into food security strategies to enhance the nutritional outcomes and economic stability of farm households.