Soybean Seed Research and Production

The first commercial soybean production began in Afghanistan in 2006 with 40 metric tons of two soybean seed varieties imported from Stine Seed Company. After years of testing, seven seed companies from each agricultural zone partnered with NEI to provide farmers with high-yield, certified soybean seeds that are locally grown. And in 2011, seed supply to Afghan farmers became self-sustainable. Seed import is now no longer needed.

NEI is committed to providing our farmers with the highest quality of non-GMO seeds. In order to produce high-yield soybeans in all 7 ecological zones in Afghanistan, new and improved, high-performance, seed varieties for each region need to be developed through rigorous scientific research. More than 64 soybean seed varieties have been tested, and NEI has successfully certified 10 varieties in Afghanistan so far.