RP eyes self-sufficiency in soybeans within two years

The Philippines hopes to be self-sufficient in soybeans production in the next two years as the Department of Agriculture (DA) has programmed 500,000 hectares of soybean farms nationwide.

Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo Jr. said soya seed production has been already initiated in at least four areas: Ilagan and Aurora both in Isabela, La Granja in Negros Occidental, and Bay in Laguna. Commercial production is set to start in October.

"Initial results in these areas showed we can harvest an average of 2.7 tons per hectare," said Dr. Benjamin Albarece who is tasked to oversee the development of domestic soybean production.

"This is comparable to what is produced by Argentina, Brazil and the United States, which range from 2.5 to 2.76 tons per hectare," he said.

Aside from seed production, the DA is also extending technical and credit support to interested farmers. Suitable areas that have been identified by DA include Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur and South Cotabato.

The soybean harvest could be sold to various local extraction plants which produce soybean oil and meal, extrusion plants which produce full-fat meal as well as the many food processors which make vegemeat products, soymilk and curd.

Aside from tokwa and taho, soya is an important ingredient in the production of animal feeds and is often used as feed substitute for corn.

"Soybean production should be an integral component in the development of a sustainable crop-livestock farming system," Lorenzo said.

The DA has been pushing for self-sufficiency not only in rice and corn but also in meat as part of a long-term food security program for the country.

"The food and feed industries have become highly dependent on imported soybeans," Lorenzo said.

With adequate production, the country could save on annual imports of more than 300,000 tons of whole soybeans, 1.2 million tons of soybean meal and over 10,000 tons of soybean oil. – Rocel Felix