Problem that technology is supposed to solve :

Low grain yield, pod shattering susceptibility, low industrial processing quality (soymilk and tofu), low efficacy with artificial inoculants, low pod clearance/plant height, low biomass (smother weeds).  

Technical characteristics of the technology :

Grain yield: has higher grain yield (20-25% ) than existing varieties

• Resistance to pod shattering: Pod shattering less than 10% compared to over 60% for some commercial varieties
• Industrial processing: has higher soymilk, tofu and “khebab” quality than current Ghanaian varieties
• Biological nitrogen fixation: fixes up to 120 kg/ha of biological nitrogen compared to under 50kg/ha of current varieties using artificial inoculants; less chemical N for subsequent cereal crop
• Pod clearance and height: position of first pod higher in Favour than current varieties, averagely 80 cm tall compared to 60 cm for other varieties.
• Biomass: much more leaf output than current varieties, smothers weeds after 6 weeks; reduces cost of weed control

Economic characteristics of the technology

- Acquisition cost :

Cost of seed depending on the Ministry of Agriculture

- Economic profitability :

Yield advantage of up to 25 %

- Comparative advantage :

More yield, more nitrogen for subsequent crop, higher quality of finished products (more sales), more amenable to commercial agriculture and large scale production, lower cost of production in terms of weed control , etc

Limits of the technology :

Needs adequate moisture during grain filling stage. Due to erratic rainfall this could be limit yield. Best under irrigation.

Technical sheet