Five years ago, Mr. Dejene Yimer planted soybeans on a modest quarter-hectare plot in Chello Kebele, Dedessa District. He did so not out of conviction, but on the advice of an extension worker.

Yet that promise soon met a harsh reality. In Mr. Dejene’s community, soybeans were unfamiliar. Consequently, farmers and consumers lacked knowledge of the nutritional and economic value of these crops, and there was little to no market demand. For six months, Dejene stored his harvest without finding a buyer. 

Eventually, he sold it to a poultry farm for just USD 7.2, a fraction of what other crops would have earned. Discouraged, he abandoned soybean production, joining many other farmers who had lost confidence in the crop. 

The turning point came with the AGRA-funded SoyLink Project, implemented by SAA and partners. Through this initiative, Mr. Dejene received training in soil management, improved agronomic practices, and market-oriented production.

The project also connected farmers to reliable markets, directly addressing the challenge that had hindered their earlier efforts. He is now not only producing but also actively learning, sharing knowledge, and engaging with markets.

Beyond managing his own field, Mr. Dejene supports fellow cluster members through peer learning, advising them on timely weeding, crop management, and sustainable practices. His leadership has contributed to improved coordination and knowledge sharing within the group.

The results are visible. Productivity has improved, income opportunities have expanded, and farmers in the cluster are increasingly confident in soybean production. Mr. Dejene now expects to earn between USD 811 and USD 1,046 from improved yields of approximately 1.76 ton/ha.

Mr. Dejene’s journey from loss to leadership demonstrates what is possible when farmers are supported with technical training, market access, and farmer-to-farmer learning. It is a powerful example of how agriculture can shift from uncertainty to opportunity, reflecting SAA’s mission to improve productivity, livelihoods, and community resilience.

Mr. Dejene looks hopefully at his soybean farm.