THE USE of soybean in the production of various food products has been gaining ground in the country and has even provided opportunities to the small farmers cultivating the crop.
In an effort to strengthen the country’s soybean industry, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) funded the implementation of the Soybean Research and Development (R&D) Program.
The program consists of four projects: Analysis of Supply Chain and Competitiveness, Productivity and Technical Efficiency of Soybean as Food (Project 1); Soybean for Higher Income and Enhanced Soil Health under Different Cropping Systems (Project 2); Enhancing the Sustainability of Informal Soybean Seed Sector (Project 3); and, Soybean Variety Development for Large Seed Size, Higher Yields and Enhanced Functional Properties (Project 4).
According to the DOST-PCAARRD, in the first year of its implementation, the program kicked off several activities including a semi-annual review and field visits in Regions 10, 11, and 13.
The activities were conducted by the monitoring and evaluation team of the Crops Research Division of the DOST-PCAARRD.
Survey and interviews with soybean farmers in Regions 10, 11, and 13 were conducted by the Project 1 R&D team in conjunction with Project 3.
The two projects aim to improve the current seed enhancement mechanisms and overall soybean supply chain in the Philippines.
Under Project 2, the team visited different project sites in Mindanao to check the status of the trials.
The project aims to determine soybean’s profitability and optimal productivity under different multiple cropping systems with high-value crops.
On-station trials on sequential cropping of corn and rice, and intercropping of cassava with soybean were already in place.
The impact of these crops on soil health is also being monitored through field evaluation trials and soil laboratory testing.
For Project 4, the team reported that germplasm collection and observational trials on seed increase in seed accessions at the University of the Philippines-Institute of Plant Breeding (UPLB-IPB) were almost complete.
This component intends to develop high-yielding soybean varieties that are large-seeded and ideal for processing, as well as adaptable to the agro-climatic condition of the target regions.
The establishment of on-station trials for Region 13 is scheduled in March of this year.
Aside from the field visits, the M&E team also learned the processing of soybean in a small-scale tofu processing facility in Davao, and at the Farmer’s Field Day on the Technology Demonstration on Soybean Production in Agusan Del Sur.
The production of “Tudela” soybean, or the black soybean variety that is widespread and commonly grown in Agusan del Sur was featured in the field day.
A technology demonstration on soybean production, on the other hand, was facilitated by the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 13 (DA-RFO-13).
The DA staff showed farmers how to process soy milk, and make soybean curd or “taho,” tofu, and even hotcake.
The activity encouraged the farmers to conduct other value-adding activities to increase their income and to maximize the health benefits of soybean./PNJULIO P. YAP JR
