ACCEPTABILITY OF SOYBEAN IN THE LAKE VICTORIA BASIN

This article reports findings of a survey conducted on factors that contribute to this problem in the Lake Victoria Basin. Most East African communities live in extreme poverty and suffer from malnutrition particularly lack of proteins. Soybean (Glycine max L.) is a good solution to this problem and ranks highest among other legumes due to its high protein content and nodulating ability though ranks low in terms of acceptability, production, and prioritisation. Specific study areas included Buyanga and Bulamangi Sub – Counties of Iganga District within the Busoga Region (Uganda), Nyatoto Location, Central Division – Suba District in Nyanza Region (Kenya) and Lubungu, Mwambanza, Kabila and Nyanguge wards in Magu District in Mwanza Region (Tanzania). Baseline data was collected using 180 questionnaires, 10 FGDs (5 female and 5 male) and in-depth interviews were conducted per country. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS. The study showed that most people engaged in soybean growing are subsistence farmers who lack adequate knowledge and access to improved varieties. A number of soybean varieties such as Mawalampa, Kabonge and Dodo were grown by the studied communities, mainly as an intercrop. Few farmers had knowledge of the processing and consumption of soybean and particularly did not know how to prepare soybean which made acceptability difficult. There were some cultural beliefs and practices favouring, and others hindering soybean production and utilisation in Kenya and Uganda but not in Tanzania.