DA forms group to oversee soybean dev’t program

The Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has planted the target seed production in 20 hectares with the cooperation of DA-CVIARC and University of the Philippines in Los Banos (UPLB-IPB).

To date the project has organized the technical working group on the implementation of the soybean industry road map.

To jumpstart the soybean road map the Livestock Development Council (LDC) has transferred P150,000 from the fund of LDC-GMA (Ginintuang Masaganang Ani) for the production of foundation seed at BPI La Granja National Crop Research Development Center in La Granja, La Carlota City, Negros Occidental. A memorandum of agreement has been signed.

The BPI will utilize and supervise the fund for the efficient conduct of the project. The LDC will monitor the implementation of the activities of the soybean road map.

Another memorandum of agreement designed for the LDC to implement projects that are essential to the success of the GMA-Livestock Program has been signed by LDC and DA-RFU II (DA Regional Unit II). The MOA also calls for the transfer of P262,500 for another maximized soybean seed production at DA-CVIARC. RFU II is mandated to supervize the utilization of the fund for the competent and prolific conduct of the road map.

Strategies have been worked out. From December 2003 to May 2004 the DA will assist private soybean seed growers in maintaining seed quality and initiate intensive on-farm testing of soybean varieties from other tropical countries. San Miguel Corp. (SMC) will maintain demonstration facilities of soybean production technology.

To augment work on the project and ensure success DA is setting up a soybean board and a soybean development coordination office to provide support to development of improved soybean technology in the Philippines. A soybean information center will be set up for information campaign and farmers’ training among potential growers in target regions and provinces.

The road map will involve other end-users and processor (GMC, URC among others) in the implementation of the strategies. Local government units (LGUs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) will be tapped for farmers’ training and education.

Some 20 tons of seeds have been produced in 2003: January 2004 (five tons), March 2003 (seven tons) and February 2003 (eight tons). SMC has ordered five tons of seed for their initial planting next year.

Target size of seed plantations is 160 hectares in the next dry season.