W Sumatra is Still Bringing Soybeans from Three Provinces

id W Sumatra is Still Bringing Soybeans from Three Provinces

W Sumatra is Still Bringing Soybeans from Three Provinces

Soybean. (Antara)

Padang, (Antara Sumbar) - West Sumatra Province is still bringing soybeans from outside the region to fulfill the needs of 2,892.6 tons per year.

Head of Horticulture Sector of West Sumatra Horticultural Crops Farming Agency, Maswal Noor in Padang, Wednesday, said to fulfill the soybean demand which reached 241,05 ton per month, local province is bringing soybean from Jambi, Riau and Medan.

"That is to fulfill West Sumatra soybean processing industry. There are 18 companies of tofu and tempe," he said.

Soybean production in the province until August 2017 was 63 tons.

Meanwhile, the production of 63 tons is gotten with a harvest area of 57 hectares or soybean production rate around 1.15 to 1.32 tons per hectare.

Of the 63 tons, the largest producing areas are Padangpariaman 37 tons, West Pasaman 10 tons, South Solok six tons, and Tanah Datar four tons.

To increase soybean production in West Sumatra, it provides assistance such as cultivation of soybean seeds and soybean processing equipment.

In addition, in 2018, West Sumatra aims to produce 18 thousand tons of soybeans per year starting from year to year.

The high production figure is expected to be achieved from the implementation of Added Plant (LTT) program in West Sumatra up to 15 thousand hectares.

Soybeans can be cultivated as intercrops in paddy fields during the dry season so that rainfed land can be utilized for these crops when finished planting rice in paddy fields.

Soybean processing is quite easy and the results achieved are also promising as additional income for farmers, in addition to rice farming that has become the mainstay of agriculture for local communities. (cha)

Editor: Vicha Faradika