Tanzania adopts Chinese technology to boost local soya milk production

TANZANIA -As the world is celebrating World Plant Milk Day, Tanzanian farmers are turning to Chinese technology to produce soya milk, a rare find in the country until recently, in a move to enhance local food production and reduce poverty.

Since 2022, agricultural experts from China Agricultural University (CAU) have been sharing their expertise with local farmers, teaching them how to produce milk from soya beans.

Tanzania has long been known for its soya bean production, particularly in the Morogoro region, one of the top five soya bean-producing areas in the country.

However, the local industry has struggled due to traditional farming practices and a lack of processing technology for soya products. The introduction of Chinese technology aims to change that by empowering farmers with the skills and tools needed to produce soya milk locally.

The technology has been successfully demonstrated in four pilot villages—Peapea, Kitete, Makuyu, and Mtego wa Simba—in the Morogoro region.

The project, a collaboration between CAU, the Morogoro regional government, and Tanzania’s Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), also involved distributing hybrid soya bean seeds to farmers and providing on-the-ground advice on planting and management techniques.

Led by Professor Li Xiaoyun, the Chinese team has implemented an intercropping project called ‘Small Bean and Big Nutrition,’ with the first harvest now underway. The success of this harvest will determine the next steps for expanding the initiative.

The process of making soya milk, as explained by expert Ms. Xu Jin, involves four main stages: soaking the seeds overnight, grinding them using a hand-made machine, filtering the mixture, and finally boiling the liquid to produce a milk-like beverage.

Local farmers have embraced this new technology with enthusiasm. Omary Jayo, a 72-year-old retired technician from the Tanzania National Electricity Supply Company (TANESCO), is one such farmer.

After learning the technique from the Chinese experts, Jayo invested in a grinding machine for US$23.9 and began producing soya milk. He now sells each cup for US$0.18, finding the process both affordable and sustainable.

This initiative marks a significant step forward in Tanzania’s efforts to improve local food production, reduce poverty, and offer new opportunities for small-scale farmers.

With continued support and expansion, soya milk production could become a thriving industry in the region.

In Africa, the plant-based sector is emerging as a significant sector in the dairy market as countries are turning away from the traditional reliance on imports and local companies are now stepping up to meet growing consumer demand.

This shift is reflected in several recent developments and product launches aimed at catering to the evolving preferences of African consumers.

In October 2023, Nestlé launched ‘Nido Milk & Soya,’ an instant milk powder in Central and West Africa. This product, blending dairy and plant-based ingredients, is marketed as both affordable and nutritious.

Nestlé highlights that the milk powder, made with locally sourced soy, contains essential nutrients such as protein, fiber, calcium, and is fortified with iron. Local companies are also making significant strides.

In 2023, Zambia’s 260 Brands introduced the ‘Nutramilk’ product range, made from non-GMO soybeans sourced locally, free from preservatives and cholesterol.

Similarly, Brookside Dairy Limited, Eastern Africa’s largest dairy processing company, ventured into the plant-based category with 100% Almond Milk and 100% Soy Milk products. Bio Food Products Ltd. launched coconut milk yogurt in four flavors: Nature, Pineapple, Mango, and Tropical Mix, further diversifying the market offerings

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