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Soya beans are packed with high nutritional values. Specifically, they are rich in healthy proteins and also contain fats and adequate carbohydrates. They are a perfect substitute for animal proteins. The importance of the crop in tropical Africa has grown rapidly during the past decades. Soya bean has played an increasingly important role in diversifying cereal-based farming systems in Africa. In Burundi, Soya beans have been recommended for incorporation in the diets of infants with lipid and protein deficiencies because the of the food security situation in the country, especially in proteins. Burundi has deficits in proteins, particularly for infants. Milk products and meat are expensive and in short supply.
A team from PROTA visited RUGOFARM s.a, one of the users of PROTA books in Burundi to demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of its activities to end users. RUGOFARM is a private company is located in Cibitoke Province, 7.4 Km north Bujumbura. It aims to diversify export crops and create employment. RUGOFARM has over the years specialized in the production and export of essential oils, mainly from Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), and lemon (Citrus aurantifolia). It has a farm of 1500 ha, where irrigation is employed in times of insufficient rainfall.
During an exchange forum with partners, an employee of Rugofarm Mr BUCUMI became aware of and purchased the PROTA books on ‘Cereals and pulses’ and ‘Vegetable oils’ that could help to improve the productivity of oilseed crops in their farm. At the time, they had recorded a deficit in lipids. From the book, they were interested oil palm, soybeans, peanuts and sunflower, particularly in the modernization of production and using improved varieties.
According to BUCUMI, the knowledge from PROTA books is very important for the agriculture sector, yet very few people have direct access to the publications because of their limited circulation. He added ''the use of information in the book allowed them to harvest 2-3 times compared to previous practices. Before, the yield was 0.5-1 tons per hectare. Currently, with these practices, we can get between 1-1.5 tons per hectare. It is true we have not yet optimized the practice but we have noticed a marked increase.'' Most cases, like Burundi, farmers use old practices while PROTA information’s are updated often with agro-ecological realities facing our country.
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| (Left) Soybean field before adopting practices listed in PROTA book and (right) after, by RUGOFARM |
Using the information from the PROTA handbook RUGOFARM produced large quantities of soybean (Glycine max) to address protein and body fat deficiencies in children. Soya bean had been identified as a solution to these deficiencies. The soybean flour was mixed with the maize flour to make porridge for infants over 7 months.
The demand and consumption of the soya beans and the soya bean fortified flour has been on the increase. 'During the 2009 season (September-February 2009), we had planted soybeans on 9.5 ha and we harvested 15.5 tons. With this quantity, we could supply flour for 3000-5000 infants or children under 5 years. In any case, customers who use soybeans for livestock feed are very low because it is expensive, it would not be profitable for them'' said BUCUMI.
Many mothers say there is a considerable impact on child growth. One mother who received 5 kg of flour mixture of soybeans, corn and wheat says “Doctors recommended that we give to the child only breast milk up to 7 months, from then on, we start weaning with a slurry of this mixture (soybean and grain) supplemented with mashed fruit for intake of vitamins and minerals. If we do regularly, children show good physical growth''. This practice had a positive impact among parents. Some prefer to give their children the soya porridge than give bread. This diet however does not replace the other dairy products but allow low income families to provide children with a more balanced diet.
A two year old child taking soya fortified porridge
Health structures in charge of maternal health developed an alternative to use rather cereals and soybean than protein products which are inaccessible for majority of mothers in Burundi. Nutritionists also advise on using mixtures of grains and legumes which can bring more or less complete food. Soybean and peanut crops were two most interesting, but that of soybean offered more opportunities because it fits into several agro-ecological zones of Burundi.
An awareness campaign is regularly organized to future mothers how to feed babies with a mixture of grains and legumes to make broth. The nutritional impact of soybean cultivation in Burundi is very remarkable, "the spray of a mixture of cereals and pulses has become a habit for moms," says a doctor. He added: "The whole soya maize deficit in lysine and contains also a considerable contribution of fat, nutrients also deficient in the rural families in Burundi.
Traders have also shown a growing interest in Soya. “Soya 'is much in demand because it is largely used rather for porridge for infants, young children than for the livestock.'' said one trader. The price of soybean is high on the market: 1kg of maize meal costs 1000FBU (0.80 USD), 1200FBU (1 $ U.S.) / kg for wheat and 1500FBU (U.S. $ 1.25) / kg for Soya beans. Customers can buy flour already mixed with our proportions, or separately buy soybean meal, maize, wheat to mix themselves according to their preferences'' he adds. It is not only rural families who only feed their children gruel mixed, low income urban families too.
Soya beans on sale at the central market in Bujumbura
Soya fits in almost all agro-ecological zones, farmers plant a small plot for subsistence. This trend is very important in changing attitudes toward a balanced diet, especially for infants.
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