Abstract

The study determined the factors hindering innovation in the soyabean innovation system in Benue State, Nigeria. A total of 100 respondents were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data were analyzed by use of frequency, percentage and mean statistic. The result of the study indicated that a number of innovations were introduced and classified into produce/process innovations, the basic research innovation and the marketing/managing strategy innovations. The study also revealed that among the product/processing innovation introduced in the soyabean innovation system, soya milk (x = 2.78) was the most preferred innovation, while the least preferred innovation was Soya garri (x = 1.55). The study also revealed that ten factors were identified as major factors hindering innovation in the soyabean innovation system. These were lack of new knowledge (x = 2.32), lack of research policy (x = 2.26), lack of capital (x = 2.78), lack of markets (x = 2.34), lack of competent human capital (x = 2.11), lack of research and extension (x = 2.26), lack of patency (x = 2.12), lack of regulation in the innovation system (x = 2.32), lack of functional processing industrial system (x = 2.74), lack of stakeholder interaction (x = 2.19). It was recommended that the introduced innovation should be nurtured and patented by regulatory bodies while the preferred products innovation given high acceptability rating be guaranteed funding by commercial banks and such finance institutions to commercialize these products to stimulate further innovations. Finally, the factors isolated as hindering innovation in the soyabean innovation should be ameliorated through policy options and conscious intervention measures.

Key words: Innovation system, factors, critical actors, soyabean.