Big push for soy consumption addressing production bottlenecks

THE Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) said that it is aiming to boost the soybean crop for human consumption by developing new processing equipment for farmers.
In an interview, PHilMech Senior Science Research Specialist Ma. Cecilia A. Antolin said: “We have fixed some problems on the post-harvest side for soybeans so we expect improved production. We also need to develop processing systems” to accompany improved output.
“If we can develop processing equipment to make soymilk it will raise farmer incomes because it is a value-added product. Some equipment is available in the market but we are trying to find a manufacturer for items that are not available,” Ms. Antolin said.
Ms. Antolin said that the common problem encountered in soybean grinders is rust, which makes them unsuitable for soymilk production.
Ms. Antolin also said that when farmers have their own processing equipment it gives their product a freshness advantage, making the taste competitive with imported products.
“We have developed a stainless grinder, and have acquired an extractor,” according to Ms. Antoli, noting that it has improved the taste of the product and that one adopter has deployed equipment developed by PhilMech to make soymilk, soy ice candy and soy coffee, earning P4,000 a day.
PHilMech does not sell equipment but accredits manufacturers to make patented designs.
“The government’s intention is to increase the use of soy for human consumption. The animal feed market is tough because imports are gong to be cheaper,” Ms. Antolin said.
The Bureau of Agricultural Research earlier said it targets about 15,000 hectares of land planted to soybean for human and animal consumption by 2019, from 700 hectares or so in 2011.
“We will revive the soybean program of 2011, also upon the suggestion of the Japanese… They have recommended that we raise production ng soybean for organic feed and human consumption,” Head of BAR Technology Commercialization Division Anthony B. Obligado has said. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio