The local feed milling industry’s dependence on imported feed materials, especially Soybean Meal whose price had skyrocketed lately, may soon come to an end, thanks to the efforts of a Filipino-American farmer/scientist who is advocating the use of local beans.
Munggo or Mungbeans and Kadyos (sn. Cajanus cajan) are among the high-protein leguminous plants which Rocky says should be grown extensively to replace Soybean Meal which is imported from either the U.S. or South America.
The irony of it all is that while Munggo could be easily grown in the Philippines and could actually be a second crop for rain-fed rice farms, the country is also importing it.
Kadyos, on the other hand, is largely grown in the backyard with no efforts to intensify its planting.
Munggo has a crude protein of 24 while Kadyos has 22, lower than Soybean Meal but if planted locally could be less expensive and easily accessible.
“The reason why our farmers don’t produce much of these materials is the lack of market. Who’s going to buy tons and tons of Munggo and Kadyos?,” Rocky asked.
Using these beans as primary substitute to the expensive Soybean Meal could increase the interest of farmers to plant both Munggo and Kadyos.
In my farm now, I am sowing 15 kilos of Kadyos seeds which I hope could serve as the source of additional planting materials.
After the harvest season for rice in Cotabato this year, I will convince farmers to sow Munggo seeds in the rice paddies to serve as their second crop and also to reinvigorate the soil.
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