August 21, 2023

 

Taiwan unveils high-protein, weather-resistant soybean variety

 

Taiwan government agronomists introduced the "Taichung No. 1 - September bean," a newly developed soybean variety renowned for its high protein content and resilience to adverse weather conditions, which aims to mitigate Taiwan's reliance on soybean imports, Focus Taiwan reported.

 

After seven years of development by the Taichung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, the "Taichung No. 1 - September bean" was officially introduced during a press conference.

 

Chen Huan-pin, a researcher at the agency, highlighted several distinctive features of the bean, including its comparatively high protein content and low fat levels. The bean's smaller kernel size enhances its suitability for processing.

 

The agency's data underscores the unique attributes of the "Taichung No. 1 - September bean." Comprising around 40% protein by weight, it surpasses the typical 35%, while its fat content stands at a mere 14.6%, in contrast to the usual 20%.

 

This soybean variant can be cultivated as late as mid-September in central Taiwan, enabling harvest within 100 days. This extended planting period helps mitigate risks associated with typhoons that could jeopardise a farmer's investment. Additionally, the new variety boasts enhanced resistance to common pests such as soybean stem borers and is engineered to withstand drought conditions. With an average yield of approximately 2,400 kg per hectare, this innovative bean offers promising prospects for local farmers.

 

In an effort to ascertain its potential, this year saw collaborative efforts between the research station and farmers who planted 350 hectares of the new soybean variety on a trial basis.

 

Emphasising the strategic alignment of the new soybean variety with the government's objectives, the research office noted its compatibility with the plans to boost domestic grain and bean production. The versatile soybean variant could alos serve as a valuable resource for farmers looking to tap into the burgeoning market for soy-based meat substitutes.

 

Official data highlights Taiwan's significant dependence on soybean imports, with approximately 2.75 million metric tonnes imported in 2022, primarily from the US and Brazil, dwarfing the meagre 5,430 metric tonnes of domestic production.

 

In light of these dynamics, Taiwan's Ministry of Agriculture set forth a target to enhance local soybean cultivation for human consumption to 10% within the next five years. This ambitious goal represents a five-fold increase from the current 1.9%, underpinning the nation's drive toward greater food security and self-reliance.

 

-      Focus Taiwan