From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture (CALA), has launched a two-day training program aimed at enhancing access to nutritious soybean tofu in Kwara State.
Over 50 participants from diverse background gathered at the Kwara Ministry of Agriculture’s ADP Hall in Ilorin for the event, which kicked off on Tuesday.
Mr. Ekum Ojogu, Assistant Team Leader of Resilience for CALA, explained that the Action Learning Project (ALP), focuses on adding value to soybeans, a crop renowned for its exceptional nutritional properties.
He highlighted that soybeans offer a superior protein alternative to animal sources, making them an ideal solution for addressing malnutrition and related health challenges in Nigeria.
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However, Ojogu noted that several challenges have hindered the full potential of soybean tofu as both a nutritious food and a viable income source for Nigerian youths.
“This project aims to enhance the accessibility of nutritious soy tofu by establishing and operating 30 hygienically processed soybean tofu enterprises managed by youth entrepreneurs in Kwara,” he said.
The initiative aligns with the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP), to strengthen value chains for priority crops and improve nutrition.
Kwara State was chosen for the training due to its existing technology for soybean value addition, with the Nigeria Stored Product Research Institute (NSPRI), in the state playing a key role.
Dr. Olatundun Kalejaiye, a member of the CALA team, emphasised the goal of forming a cluster of participants equipped with startup kits to begin producing soybean tofu after the training.
“We want to upgrade tofu production using technology, moving away from traditional methods to develop a tasteful, well-textured, dehydrated, and packaged soy tofu with a shelf life of at least six months through optimized processing techniques,” Kalejaiye said.
The project also aims to empower over 50 youth entrepreneurs in Kwara with proficiency in the soybean tofu processing business and to establish five distribution points within the state to support these agripreneurs.
Kalejaiye added that the training would reduce food waste, enhance resource efficiency, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and build capacity among stakeholders.
“This initiative will equip participants with the necessary skills in soybean tofu processing, marketing, and business management, facilitating the scalability of production and distribution channels through tailored training and mentorship programs,” she stated.
Dr. Kadijat Ayinke-Ahmed, Managing Director of the Kwara Agricultural Development Project (ADP), praised the initiative and assured participants of the state government’s collaboration and support.
She described Kwara as a business-friendly environment and expressed confidence that the local market for soybean tofu would expand significantly after the training. “With the technology in place, I believe they will produce soybean tofu in large quantities to boost income,” she said.
The training was organized in partnership withThe Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), the Kwara Ministry of Agriculture/ADP, the Soybean Farmers Association of Nigeria (SOFAN), NAFDAC, and relevant NGOs. The theme of the event was “Enhancing Access to Nutritious Soybean Tofu Through Product Optimization and Youth Empowerment in Kwara.”
