We Can Grow It! Soybeans Production Program Eyes Self-Sufficiency In 5 Years

Soybeans, the protein rich food and feeds commodity which the Philippines imports at a value of P55-B annually, could be grown in Mindanao and with the needed support, the country could become self-sufficient in 5 years.
Yesterday, I entered into a collaboration with the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) headed by Director Glenn Panganiban for the complete documentation of the 5-Year Soybeans Production Program which I designed and initiated.
This followed a successful harvest of 2.3-metric tons of the seeds of two Non-GMO Soybeans Varieties which have not been registered with the National Seed industry Council.
I obtained the seeds from the Department of Agriculture in Caraga through Director Ricardo Oñate who sourced the seeds from farmers in Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur.
All these years, in spite of the low yield and limited access to the market, the tenacious Soybeans farmers of Caraga persevered and planted the Non-GMO varieties which they called Manchuria White and Tudela Black in small areas.
Late last year, I was able to acquire 40 kilos of the seeds which were already 2 years old with low germination but we were able to harvest 2.3-metric tons.
The seeds produced from the Soybeans Experimental Farm which I established in Barangay Palkan, Polomolok, South Cotabato with the support of the Dolefil Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative which owned the area, will now be used in my first expansion program which targets 50 hectares.
With a target yield of only 2.5-metric tons per hectare, the program could produce seeds to cover 100,000-hectares by 2024.
With a planted area of 500,000 hectares within the next 5 years, the Philippines could become self-sufficient in Soybeans.
The Soybeans Production Program will be concentrated mainly in the Cotabato Area with M’lang and Alamada as the first two areas where the crop will be propagated.
This is mainly because of the proximity of the areas to my base of operations in Kidapawan City which would allow me to personally supervise the program.
Even before we could undertake the expansion, we could already claim success because we have proven that Soybeans, which many said would not thrive in the Philippines, could actually be grown profitably in Mindanao.
#doingwhattheysaycantbedone!
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!