World demand for soybeanis great, and the Philippines is in fact spending billionof dollars for its import. Some of the uses of soybeans arefor the manufacture of sotanghon, tahu, tokwa, bean curd,soy sauce, and beverage (like milk) any many others.

A good harvest of soybeansdepends on the quality of the seed planted and of this varietyis acclimated to the soil where it is planted, as in Cagayan.

Planting

In the height ofCagayan., soybean is planted toward the end of November untilthe end of December.

This grows whilethe weather is cold and is harvested around March until themiddle of April.

Land preparationis the same as the preparation done for other crops. The hillsare about 25 cm apart from one another.

1.  Mix one-half kilo Rhizobium with (wet) 60 kilos of soybean seeds. This can be enough for a hectare if this is irrigated or planted in the lowland with in a body of water nearby (river). By the sea, it is necessary to add two bags of Amphos for every hectare 21 days after germination. So it is less costly to plant soybeans in the lowland near a river.

2.  As in other plants, pest and d diseases and weeds must be controlled and maintained with watering after harvest.

3.  Harvest of soybean is usually 20 times the initial investment - about 800 kilos to 1,500 kilos of dry seeds every hectare.

If the soil is good and maintained seasonally in its growth, harvest may be as high as 3,000 kilos per hectare, as has been proven by some planters.

From: Farming -Update

January-March 1989

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