Samenvatting

There is a high demand for soybean products in Cameroon yet the country is experiencing low soybean production levels and has triggered more importation of the product. This has created an opportunity in the domestic market. AgriDynamic Foundation, a non-profit social entrepreneurial organization has identified this potential market and aims at revamping the soybean sector in rural areas starting with Ngoketunjia region. The organisation has developed a soybean value chain but needs to find the best business approach that can efficiently and effectively increase the production of soybeans. This project aim was to find out the challenges and risks limiting the farmers from producing more soybeans despite the favourable climatic conditions and soil. By looking at the root problems, a business model could then be developed to fit both the farmers and organisation objectives. Soybean farmers, retailers, suppliers and institutions were personally interviewed by the researcher. The data collected was analysed using Microsoft Excel where charts and tables where used to present the findings. The researcher discovered that majority of the soybeans farms were small scale labour intensive farms mostly farmed by females. The reasons that limited the farmers from increasing soybean production were the lack of technical knowledge and skills on soybean production, lack of proper tools, inadequate finances and the high risks involved in soybean farming due to poor seed. The research showed that most farmers used fertilizer yet they produced less soybeans than the farmers that did not use fertilizer. By looking at the root problems that were limiting soybean production in Ngoketunjia region, the researcher was able to develop a business model that AgriDynamic could implement. The model’s objective would be to educate farmers on the best ways of minimizing production costs. This is followed by validating and harmonizing new/existing initiatives with the new/existing tools and mechanisms to fit recognized soybean standards. This can then be used by all stakeholders. Ultimately, AgriDynamic will become the central marketing hub that connects the farmers, resellers and institution. By providing an organized market with acceptable soybean prices and quality, this would encourage farmers to increase production at low costs taking advantage of economies of scale.