Local soybean production is on the rise, as the industries, mainly poultry feed makers and edible oil refiners, are strongly in need of the item, according to industry insiders.

Of the local companies, City Group of Industries and S. Alam Group have been procuring the crop from the local market for its soybean crushing factories, while poultry feed makers such as Kazi Farms and Aftab are also buying it to make feed.

They, however, pointed to the fact that the output is far from the quantity edible oil processors and poultry farm owners demand. The major portion of such demand is met by imports.

But, analysts said, Bangladesh could meet much of its local demand through bring-

ing about 7 lakh hectares of coastal and char lands under soybean production, which in turn will also help reduce the country’s dependence on importing over one million tonnes of edible oil a year.

"It’s a prospective area. The more we produce the more will be our benefit, as it will help us save foreign currencies," said Zafor Uddin Siddiqui, director of sales and marketing of City Group of Industries. This group uses locally produced soybean to extract oil through its crushingunit.

The quality of local soybean is fine, Zafor said, adding: "Local production is very nominal considering our requirement."

The data provided by Integrated Soybean Cultivation Project (ISCP) shows a steady rise in the item's production since the fiscal year (FY) 2002-

03.

Soybean production that stood at 7,440 tonnes in FY 2003 rose to 85,500 tonnes in FY 2008, thanks to the market opportunity on the entry of edible oil refiners and poultry feed makers.

Now Laxmipur, Noakhali, Chandpur, Barisal and Mymensingh are among the 16 soybean producing districts in the country.

"We have set a target of ensuring production of about 1.10 lakh tonnes of soybean this year because of the rising demand in the local market," said Abdul Awal Mollah, project director of the ISCP under the Ministry of Agricul ture.

I Ie said the entry of big companies have helped farmers get an ensured market for their produces. “In the past, farmers were denied fair prices because

of a scanty marketing opportunity. Now the situation is improving,” he said, adding that

some small companies plan manufacturing soybean-based food products such as soymilk.

Abdus Samad Labu, vice-chairman of S Alam Group that operates a crushing unit, sought government efforts to enhance soybean cultivation and help local industries buy more from the local market lessening import dependence.

"We procured about 8,000 tonnes of soybean last year. We want to double that this year,” he said.

Encouraged by the fair price of his produce, Nurul Islam Bhuiyan, a farmer in Laxmipur, now plans bringing one and half acres of land under soybean cultivation this year from one acre last year.

"I sold a mound of soybean at Tk 1,200 on an average last year. But the average price wasTk 800 the previous year,” he pointed out.

sohel@thedailystar.net