950806

Govt preparing plan to

boost soyabean output

KHALID ABBAS SAIF

FAISALABAD: The federal government is preparing a new action plan to boost the production of soyabean in the country which has remained static at 2,000 tonnes and the area under cultivation has remained limited to 400 hectares.

Agriculture experts have pointed out various ecological zones in the country where soyabean crop fits very well in the cropping pattern of sub-mountainous areas of North-West Frontier Province valleys of Hazara, Swat and Parachinar.

In Punjab, the soyabean crop has been found very successful in the Potohar Plateau under rain-fed conditions.

In Sindh and Balochistan also, the soyabean has good prospects. In Sindh, spring sowing gives higher yields and in Balochistan it can be grown as a Kharif crop in the hilly areas as well as in plains, according to a study report of experts.

Soyabean is a promising source of plant protein and edible oil. It provides more oil and meal than any other oil crop in the world. The meal contains more than 40 percent protein while the seed contains about 20 percent oil.

In Pakistan, it is used in ghee, glycerine and soap production. The seed is being used in poultry feed. Soyabean flour increases the nutritive value of human food if mixed with wheat and maize flour.

In Pakistan, during 1980-85 the crop area and production increased while yield per hectare decreased compared to 1975-80. However, during 1985-90, though the area decreased as compared to 1980-85, yet both production and yield per hectare increased.

In early days, soyabean growers were facing numerous problems in marketing their yield. Some of these stemmed from fluctuations in prices, non-availability of remunerative markets and non-existence of protein extraction plants in Pakistan. These factors were mainly responsible for discouraging the gorwers to raise this crop. This state of affairs was adversely affecting the expansion of acreage under this crop.

Agriculture experts recommended that the government should take due notice of these hurdles. To rectify the situation, it was suggested, an attractive price should be fixed. As far as marketing of the soyabean crop was concerned, experts said, the Ghee Corporation of Pakistan (GCP) should lift the entire produce from the grower's doorstep. Moreover, the GCP should provide better quality and high-yielding variety of seeds to the intending soyabean growers.

These steps, if adhered, are bound to go a long way in boosting the soyabean yield, ultimately to narrow down the enormous gap between national oilseed requirements and consumption. Besides, a huge amount of foreign exchange being spent on its import would be saved and utilised in other vital sectors of national economy.

It has further been suggested that more and more poultry feed and cattle feed plants should be setup in the country raising the demand for soyabean meal.