The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office Cordillera (DA-RFO CAR) is set to try the Bahug soybean, a variety of soybean planted in the CARAGA region to see if it would be suitable for planting in the region.
In the on-line presentation of the Regional Soybean and Sorghum Action Plan of CAR, DA Senior Science Specialist and Vice-Chairman of the National Technical Working Group on Soybean and Sorghum Rodolfo Panganiban recommended the testing of the Bahug variety in the Cordillera Region which is considered as the only local soybean variety that can compete and match with that of US soybean grains.
In terms of protein and fat contents, Bahug is aromatic and comparable with imported soybean grains, where majority of imported soybean grains come from the United States.
DA-CAR Division Chief for Research Luis Lang-oy reiterated the need for a copy of the documented study and research on the performance of Bahug, aside from tracing the sources of the said variety in the respective areas of CARAGA Region prior for the region to start adaptability trials and commercial production.
Aside from the testing of Bahug in the region, DA-CAR will continue to conduct a study on the soybeans of Banaue intensifying its campaign for soybean and sorghum with other Provincial Local Government Units or PLGU that is seen by the agriculture department as a way to improve soybean production in Ifugao and other provinces in CAR.
Soybean, soy bean, or soya bean is a species of legume native to East Asia, widely grown for its edible bean, which has numerous uses. Traditional unfermented food uses of soybeans include soy milk, from which tofu are made.
The nutritional profile of soybeans is high in fiber, protein and phytoestrogens, cholesterol and lactose free, low in saturated fat, is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, and a good source of antioxidant.
The Philippines is currently producing 0.35% of the total demand coverage of the last five years where 99.65% were imported as seeds, soybean meal and by-products (PSA,2021).
43% of the total soybean production in the country comes from Luzon, 32% in the Mindanao region, and 21% in the Visayas region.
There are three varieties of soybeans with the yellow soybean being the most common in terms of production quantity and varieties, the green soybeans having a green colored peel, and the black soybean which is generally used to make simmered soybeans.
As of December 2019, initial findings show that the top five soybean varieties are SP 963-5, SP 963-7, SP 963-1, SP 963-6, and SP 963-2 with all of these varieties exhibiting good crop stand and high number of pods.
Soybeans grow better under temperatures around 20°C; the best temperature for growth and development being around 30°C. Planting should not occur when soil temperature is below 20°C, as it may have negative effects on germination and emergence.
