Soybean is important globally, primarily due to its utilization as a source of protein and oil for human and livestock consumption, as well as industrial needs. In Africa, an escalating demand for high-quality soybeans for food, animal feed, and industrial uses is driving a surge in production. Yet just ~1% of the soybean production global total is produced in Africa, leads to a significant import burden, despite major efforts to increase soybean cultivation in Africa.
Increasing the growth of African soybean production is challenged by multiple factors that contribute to yield losses. A significant threat to soybean production in Africa is soybean rust disease. Present in most soybean-producing countries on the continent, rust causes yield losses of up to 90% if unmanaged. Lack of awareness about the disease symptoms and lack of information on available management options has led to unacceptable yield losses causing farmers to lose interest in the crop. To avoid yield loss, we need strategies to succeed in managing this devastating disease.
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