Suitable leguminous crop for cultivation

SOYBEAN has been grown in some areas of the country due to its numerous uses, like a cheap source of protein for animal feeds and for preparation of various food products.

Soybean serves as a good alternate crop in terms of crop diversification and increased farmers income.

It also improves soil health and fertility and provides food as protein source for better human and livestock nutrition.

In the Cagayan Valley region for instance, soybean is one of the most suitable leguminous crops for cultivation in Cagayan Valley.

However, it is unfortunate to note that soybean production in the province was recorded at almost zero in 2010, with blames imputed on market and use-related factors.

To revive the commodity, a combination of different project strategies is necessary, thus the launching of the program on Enhancing Soybean Productivity and Local Availability in Region 2.

Funded by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), the program aimed to develop sustainable local soybean production towards food security and better nutrition for Filipinos.

With its implementation in 2011, the program created awareness on the importance of soybean for human, livestock, soil health, and nutrition.

This was done through the promotion of soybean production and its use as business enterprise for the subsistent farming communities of Cagayan Valley.

To do this, the program, as a vital concern, ensured the availability of better planting materials.

About 5,000 to 10,000 kilograms (kgs) of new/improved soybean varieties were made available in existing and expansion areas.

As a way of promoting the commodity, the program introduced the use of soybean as an intercrop and rotation crop in cereals and fruit/forest-tree based areas, source of protein for the households, for the processing and marketing of attractive and competitive soybean-based food products, and even as feeds for swine.

In support of Cagayan Valley’s micro, small and medium enterprises, the program likewise capacitated and developed the business interest and livelihoods of at least 20 small farming communities and local food processors.

With the promotion and adoption of organic production farming and good agricultural practices, soybean yield increased from 1,250 kgs per hectare to 2,175kgs/ha, providing the farmers with a net income of P40,000 from P19,000/ha.

With these interventions, coupled with a strong public-private partnership, from the almost zero production in 2010, about 1,750 hectares of the land in Cagayan Valley, as of 2017, were already planted to soybean.

Complementing the initiative of the DA-BAR is the Soybean R&D Program of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), titled “Improvement of Soybean for Better Nutrition, Higher Income and Enhanced Soil Health” which started last May.

Both programs aim to increase farmers’ income by integrating soybean in different cropping systems and improve the supply of local soybeans from more efficient supply chains and from higher productivity of food-grade soybeans on farm.

The program is one of PCAARRD’s undertakings in its continuing pursuit of “Excellence in Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Innovations.” (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)