Round 2

December 2010

Best Practices & Innovations (BPI) Initiative

Agriculture & Rural Livelihoods

Soybean Market Linkages Project (SMLP)

Africare
Innovation Award for Access to Markets, Nutrition and Value Chain Development

Overview:
Africare’s “Zimbabwe Soybean Market Linkage Project” significantly improved food security and
incomes of over 2000 smallholder farmers through the promotion of soybean production, marketing
and processing. Five thousand farmers were trained in soybean production and processing by
experienced community-based facilitators and extension staff. Women and children are excited to now
have once scarce protein in abundance (+40%) through a wide array of confectioneries (soy beverages,
soy burgers, fritters and soymilk). Lucrative markets are now accessible to association members due to
robust research and dissemination of market information through information centers and the
consolidation and marketing of soybean and soybean products (edible oil and soybean cake (stock
feed)). Three oil-pressing plants have been established through a revolving loan fund and are providing
a local market for soybean, employment and value addition by 73%. The project is a model for
replication in other regions.

Intervention Details:
Location Zimbabwe – Mt Darwin, Rushinga, Shamva and Bindura Districts
(Mashonaland Central Province)
Start Date January 11, 2002
End Date December 31, 2007
Scale Local/Community
Target Population Rural Smallholder Farmers
Number of beneficiaries Approximately 4,000
Partners Government of Zimbabwe authorities (Ministry of Agriculture, Department
of Agricultural Extension Services), Community-based organizations such
as the Mount Darwin Rushinga and Bindura Oil Press Association, Takura
Nyakasikana Village Bank, Zimbabwe National Soybean Commodity
Association, Traditional Leaders, the University of Zimbabwe and the
private sector (Olivine Industries and National Foods)
Funders/Donors The Rockefeller Foundation
Total Funding $826,522 (with USD 300,000 for 1st Phase; USD 412,522 for 2nd Phase)
Website www.africare.org
 Round 2
December 2010

About the Intervention

1. Background/Context
What challenges or problems were the interventions designed to address? Why was the intervention
needed?
The smallholder agriculture in Zimbabwe is generally characterized by low production rates, lack of access
to inputs, little technical extension support, and inadequate access to local/regional markets. Erratic
rainfall and extended droughts have compounded these challenges, resulting in consistently poor
harvests, widespread food insecurity, and erosion of household assets. The social impacts are readily
apparent and pervasive – chronic and acute malnutrition rates stand at 35% and 2.4%, respectively.
Furthermore, many Zimbabweans are not able to take advantage of certain value-added market linkages
that could help to break the cycle of poverty and food insecurity. For example, instead of simply selling
grain as a primary product, smallholders could maximize their income earning potential through the agro-
processing of certain crops (i.e. soybeans) into cooking oil that brings much higher returns. The Soybean
Market Linkages Project (SMLP) intervention was designed to empower smallholder farmers and assist
them in growing high value, drought tolerant, nutrient-fortified crops – ultimately improving sustainable
household food and income security over the long-term.

2. Goals & Objectives

What were the intervention’s goals and objectives? What was it meant to accomplish?
The goal of the SMLP Phase I was to improve household food security and raise household income for
approximately 8,000 smallholder farmer beneficiaries in the five districts of Mt Darwin, Rushinga,
Bindura, Shamva and Zvishavane. Within these target communities, Phase II focused specifically on soy
production due to the bean’s high market value, low production costs, and the fact that its price is not
controlled by the Zimbabwean government. The soybean also has a remarkably high protein content
(≈40%), which advantageously complemented the typically protein-deficient diets and could be used as a
substitute for foods normally requiring cash for purchase. Finally, the soybean is easily processed by
smallholder households themselves, creating additional source of income generation and covering a
household’s need for in-kind cash resources.

The specific objectives of the SMLP Phase II were:

a. Increase soybean production from 2,250ha to 5,000ha through enhanced seed multiplication
techniques and increased access to micro-credit opportunities for agro-processing inputs.
b. Promote the storage and strategic marketing of soybean grain.
c. Facilitate the establishment of a Village Bank in Bindura district and increase the ‘Revolving
Loan Fund’ from US$20,000 to US$70,000.
d. Research the most effective techniques for using soy in the formulation of livestock feed and
maximizing the shelf life of soy-based products.
e. Increase HIV/AIDS awareness among SMLP participants and provide both care and support for
People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in target communities.

3. Key Activities
Please describe the intervention’s main activities. What role did each partner play? If applicable, how is
 Round 2
December 2010

the intervention innovative?

Main SMLP activities included:
Training of smallholders in soybean production, utilization, agro-processing and marketing
Setting up ‘Marketing Information Points’ (cell phones facilitating farmer access to market
information) to identify the best local/regional market price locations
Planting of soybean for seed multiplication at the village level
Establishing three local, small-scale industrial soybean oil agro-processing plants

Innovation. Before the inception of the SMLP project, smallholder farmers typically harvested only
maize, the staple food crop of Zimbabwe, which was subject to government price controls oriented in
such a way that farmers would often sell their grain at a loss. SMLP assisted smallholder farmers in
diversifying their cash crops and income base so that they no longer relied solely on maize mono-
cropping. The SMLP project introduced farmers to the concept of small-scale soybean agro-processing in
order to enhance local production and increase market returns. With training, beneficiary smallholder
farmers have become savvy, business-oriented producers. Today, approximately 120MT of soybeans
harvested within target communities are dedicated to the agro-processing and marketing of soybean oil.

SMLP also pioneered the use of mobile phones for (a) accessing reliable market information and (b)
disseminating that information among rural smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. This intervention ensured
that farmers could no longer be shortchanged or taken advantage of by traders and middle-men making
offers significantly below fair market prices. SMLP helped to facilitate the community-driven formation of
Soybean Commodity Associations that linked beneficiaries to both the input and output markets. These
vibrant, participatory community associations were founded upon the principle of good corporate
governance and helped farmers to negotiate contracts with private sector, consolidate their produce, and
strategically market products.

4. Effectiveness/Evidence of Success

What were the results of the intervention, and how were they measured? Who and how many people
benefited from the intervention? What evidence do you have to support these results (e.g. field visit
reports, internal tracking & monitoring, internal or external evaluations, etc.)?

During the 2005/2006 growing season, SMLP assisted a total of 2,087 communal farmers in Bindura and
Shamva districts in soybean production. Over 525ha were put under soybean production with an overall
yield of 425MT (average of 0.81 tons per ha). Exceptional farmers that carried out recommended
techniques both correctly and in a timely manner obtained yields equivalent to commercial farmers (2.5
to 3 t/ha). A warehouse (100m2) was also constructed in Bindura to ensure adequate, reliable storage
and significantly reduce post-harvest losses.

The SMLP project established three oil pressing plants in Shamva and Bindura districts. The burgeoning
oil agro-processing industry has provided a local market for both soybean and sunflower harvests; it also
increased employment opportunities for the local youth. One of the three SMLP plants, the Murimi Oil
press, has diversified its business into the input supply industry and the sale of soybean and maize seed.
Financial statements (as of 31 October 2006) from the co-operatives show strong gains in net profit, even
just in the first months to a year of pressing:
 Round 2
December 2010

Murimi(Bindura) Zvidozvevarimi Chizinga (Shamva)

For 1 year (Shamva) 6 months For 3 months

Turnover US$6417 US$1664 0

Service Pressing US$3333 US$2192 US$2500
Total Income US$9750 US$3856 US$2500
Less Expenditure
Total Expenses US$6667 US$2513 US$944
Net Profit US$3083 US$1343 US$1556
Exchange rate:USD 1:Z$900 (parallel market rate)
1. Turnover is income from sale of soybean products such as oil and cake
2. Service pressing stands for income from oil extraction service offered to the general public

SMLP trained an original core group of 17 smallholder farmers and 20 Zimbabwean agricultural extension
workers in the agronomy of soybeans, household level agro-processing methodology, the utilization of
soy as a nutritious protein substitute, and strategic marketing techniques. These initial workshops were
essentially a “training of trainers”, which ultimately produced a cascade effect, resulting in the training of
over 5,320 farmers in target communities. Subsequently, 2,087 farmers successfully engaged in soybean
production. In the initial experimentation and adoption stages, farmers produced very small quantities of
soybean (0.4t/ha) on small parcels of land (<0.1ha). However, after seeing the progressive impact of
SMLP, smallholders are now growing as much as 1.5 ha of soybean and their agronomic technique has
improved significantly.

5. Equitable Outcomes

Please describe how the intervention enabled the participation of women and the specific benefits that
resulted for them. Please provide data showing the comparative benefits for men and women. If the
intervention focused primarily or exclusively on men, please explain the rationale for doing so.

The increased profit margins created by the SMLP project provide tangible benefits for the entire
household. All family members experience greater nutritional uptake and protein intake from the soy-
based production of: bread, cakes, porridge, sadza, milk, cookies and scones. Proceeds have also allowed
smallholder to buy production inputs in preparation for the next season, helping them to incrementally
boost their harvests and household assets.

Impact on youth: Beneficiary families are now able to reliably pay school fees each year, allowing their
children to receive a formal education that will benefit them for years to come. Additionally, SMLP has
encouraged youth participation in the project. As a result, some youth have joined elder beneficiaries in
soybean production. One of the youngest farmers, 22 year old Edward Chitauro, was voted the best
soybean farmer in Bindura. With the profits generated from soy production and marketing, he managed
to buy both a heifer and a cultivator. Edward noted, “many young people flock to urban centers in search
of employment, but with crops such as soybean the money is here in the rural areas”. The attractive
income earning potential of soy in the SMLP project has allowed youth to stay at home and focus on
farming, instead of being forced to migrate to urban centers in search of employment.

Impact on women: Approximately 52% of SMLP beneficiaries are women. The project has encouraged
 Round 2
December 2010

their empowerment and participation, allowing women to overcome gender barriers in traditional cash-
crop agriculture and increase household cash resources. For example, Mrs. Emma Musana, a female
smallholder farmer and SMLP participant, harvested nearly 5MT of soybeans, using proceeds to invest in
livestock (two heifers) and pay school fees for her children. In addition to enhanced roles agricultural
production, some women hold influential positions within the agro-processing industry and maintain their
own shares in oil pressing associations.

6. Efficiency/Cost-Effectiveness
How do the intervention’s relative costs compare to the outcomes achieved? Please provide evidence to
support your answer.

In comparison to the costs of this intervention, the returns experienced by smallholder farmers in
Zimbabwe have been significant. With relatively small overhead costs, the SMLP project created strong
gains in production rates and greatly impacted the income earning potential of rural farmers. Through
local seed multiplication techniques, the costs associated with quality seed procurement were minimized.
The linking of smallholder farmers directly to buyers offering fair prices has empowered farmers to
sustainably and incrementally increase their asset base over time. Finally, the practice of ‘training of
trainers’ has created a multiplying effect, spread by word of mouth, farmer-to-farmer. As a result, the
project has seen increased smallholder interest and awareness in soy production over a broad region in
Zimbabwe, even in areas untouched by the project. It is clear that the benefits associated with the SMLP
project will continue to flow long after the project’s end.

7. Sustainability
Is this intervention sustainable in the long-term, socially, financially and environmentally? Please describe
the steps the intervention took to ensure services or impacts will be sustained over the long term, and the
role of local partners or the beneficiary community in continuing the intervention.

In each district, SMLP used a participatory action approach in the establishment of three Oil Pressers
Cooperatives. The co-operatives create and sustain a local market for soybeans, adding value to farmers’
produce for only the small cost of the co-op fee. Each Oil Presser Cooperative underwent essential
capacity building training and each has its own constitution registered with the Ministry of Youth
Development and Employment Creation. Also, even though SMLP has officially closed, to this day, the
original core group of farmers trained by SMLP continues to train other smallholder farmers in
surrounding communities. Finally, SMLP has used conservation agriculture techniques in its production
training. Soybeans have been promoted to sustainably increase soil fertility and reduce the use of
inorganic fertilizers, thus, helping to reduce agriculture-related environmental pollution. Improved
fertility also helps prevent deforestation through the intensification of land use, rather than
extensification.

8. Challenges & Lessons Learned

What challenges or obstacles did you face and how were they addressed? What are the most important
lessons a reader should take from this practice?

The unfavorable macroeconomic environment (hyperinflation and shortage of foreign exchange) during
 Round 2
December 2010

SMLP implementation negatively affected most project operations. Some activities had to be dropped
because required materials could not be procured from warehouses. In addition, increasingly erratic
rainfall negatively affected crop production rates. Marginal profits from harvest prevented re-payment
seed loans in the years following prolonged drought and seriously affected the quantity of accessible seed
reserves. As a result, SMLP has found that there is a need to increase both the flexibility and adaptability
of smallholder farmer micro-credit repayment schedules so as to mitigate the impact of climatic variability
over the long-term.

9. Enabling Factors & Recommendations

What factors were critical to the success of the intervention? What should others know about this
intervention before replicating it elsewhere?

The following foundational pillars of the SMLP program were critical to the success of the intervention:
a) Training of community members on leadership and group dynamics. Participants must be sensitized to
choose good, firm, reliable leaders who abide by the group/cooperative constitution.
b) Training of farmers in agronomy, pest and disease control. Access to this type of information is
necessary if farmers are going to shift from subsistence to commercial production. The most effective
training methodology was that of cascade ‘training of trainers’ through lead farmers. Lead farmers
demonstrate best practices, enhance farmer-to-farmer exchange, monitor the performance of trainees,
and evaluate the performance of the project in a participatory way.
c) Use of soybeans only in good soils (such as clay) for best results. In sandy soils, higher levels of inputs
are required, thereby decreasing the profit margin. Alternatively, the use of rhizobium inoculants can also
help to reduce production costs.
d) Consistent community involvement in the marketing committee. Community members must be capable
of maintaining constant interaction with a variety of buyers in order to ensure that all farmers achieve the
best possible farm gate prices for their crops.

10. Replicability/Adaptability
Has this intervention been successfully replicated or adapted in another setting? If so, where, when and by
whom?

The Soybean Market Linkage Project (SMLP) model is highly replicable. In Zimbabwe, SMLP started in
Shamva and Bindura districts but was easily replicated in Zvishavane and Shurugwi districts using
additional funding from IFAD, as well as in Gokwe district using additional funding from the Japanese
Embassy. Over the life of the project, SMLP target communities have also been visited by Oxfam-Malawi
staff, Africare-Mozambique staff, and a diverse delegation from Israel. Finally, the FAO Coordinated
Agricultural Working Group meeting in 2007 hailed the project as one of the few projects that has
improved the livelihoods of resource poor farmers.