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Boost soyabean output to counter edible-oil import, say scientists
Rakesh Sood
BHOPAL, December 28: Eighty five per cent of the total soyabean production in the country is being exported in the absence of adequate domestic processing facilities. This, according to scientists at Krishi Bhawan, is a disturbing phenomenon in view of soyabean's potential to tackle malnutrition in the country.India produces nearly 50 lakh tonnes of soyabean per annum, which can be processed in an economical way into nutritious products like soyamilk, soyapaneer, soyaoil, and full-fat soyaflour. Promotion of the local soya-processing industry can act as a substitute to imports of edible oil and dairy products, which constitute a whopping Rs 4,500 crore as against exports of Rs 2,000 crore per annum. Ironically, while 425,000 tonnes of the total produce is exported, only 75,000 tonnes of the oil and food are available for domestic use. Scientists say this is woefully inadequate for a country like India which has the largest number of malnourished childern in the world. Another factor worrying the
scientists is the marked rise in the incidents of unfair treatment and anti-dumping actions against domestic exporters by countries like United States, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, Indonesia and members of the European Union. They fear, if at any point of time, these countries ban Indian exports, the entire soya industry will collapse.Scientists say there is an urgent need to encourage an indigenous soya- processing industry to curb imports of edible oils. This will serve three purposes: encourage indegenous soya processing, save precious foreign exchange outgo and overcome shortage of dairy products. According to them soyabean is the most economic protein source, which contains 40 per cent good quality protein, 20 per cent oil and other nutrients. Soya oil is the world's number one edible oil. The amount of protein in one kilogram of soyabean is equivalent to 12 litres of milk, two dozen of eggs, two kilo of mutton or fish, scientists say. Madhya Pradesh, with 75 per cent of the total production, is a
major soyabean- producing state. The other states which grow significnt amount of the crop are Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Scientists working with the Soyabean Processing and Utilisation Centre, a branch of the Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering (CIAE), Bhopal, say the acceptance of soyafood in the country is low. One of the major factors limiting the use of soya protein is its lack of flavour. Other reasons identified by CIAE are lack of awareness among people about the high nutritional value of the crop and its products. Non-availability of soya products in the market at a reasonable price, lack of processing and paucity of technology, and lack of training facilities also contribute to the slow adoption of soyafoods in the country. For addressing such issues, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in collaboration with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the Indo-US sub-project of soyabean processing utilisation in 1985. Soyabean is
generally processed for its oil, protein and lecithin. Whole beans or partially defatted cake or meal can be used for making soya-based food items like full-fat soyaflour, dairy products like soyamilk, soyapneer, soya-yogurt and soya ice-cream. Project director of SPU Nawab Ali says, "The positive features of soyameal are its low-cost, nutritive value and suitability to lactose intolerant to childern. Soyamilk is widely used in China as a nutritious and economical food." Interestingly, the cost of soyapaneer is one-third of that of milk paneer having lmost the same shelf life. The real question inspite of all these qualities is why is it that soyabean cultivation is not taken up in a big way ? Most of the produce is exported to the European countries, where it is in great demand. Two year back, the Madhya Pradesh government started manufacturing soyabean biscuits, but the project was abandoned halfway for inexplicable reasons. The real initiative should come from the government for promoting the product
as a most economical protein source as a substitute to edible oils and dairy products imports for the country, scientists say.
Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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