Home-grown soy sparks agricultural evolution in Flanders
Local farmers have long shied away from growing soy, but that’s about the change, say researchers who’ve made a breakthrough with a special type of bean
Sowing the seeds
Fast-forward to today, and corn dominates much of the agricultural landscape, serving as the main crop for feeding home-grown livestock. This year might be the starting point of a similar agricultural shift, as the fields in Flanders are about to yield the first batch of soybeans.
The Institute for Agriculture and Fisheries Research (Ilvo) has partnered with local farmers to conduct field experiments on soy cultivation in five locations. According to Greet Riebbels of Ilvo, the results are promising – and that’s big news.
“It is quite exceptional to introduce a new crop,” says Riebbels. “The first batch of soy took a lot of preparation, and we still have a long way to go. A new crop is a serious challenge for a farmer.”
The crop has to fit into the existing rotation schedule, Riebbels explains, and requires new seeding and harvesting methods. “Apart from the technical issues, another big question is who will take on the harvest and at what price. Finding answers to these challenges takes time.”
A pressing need
Soy plays a crucial role in modern agriculture. Because of their unique, high-quality composition of proteins, the beans can be consumed by both humans and livestock.
Europe, including Flanders, consumes a lot of soy, but almost all of it originates elsewhere, mainly in South America and Canada. For decades, European countries have shied away from cultivating it themselves.
That’s about to change, says Joke Pannecoucque, senior researcher at Ilvo. “There is an essential need in Europe for crops rich in protein, and the EU wants to become more self-sustainable in the field. Soy is the perfect means to an end; there are alternative options, but none of them have the same potential.”
Our factory in France runs completely on locally grown soy. We’d like to see the same thing in Flanders
Soy is mostly grown in warmer climates; the plant, which originated in Asia, is a subtropical breed. But it has since, like corn, been modified to respond better to cooler weather, so the researchers went looking for the right type of bean.
“Because of our relatively short days and cold nights, we looked at varieties that ripen early,” Pannecoucque explains. “We did research on some 30 types of soy. The most important thing is that the beans have time to become dry enough to be harvested, stocked and processed.”
For the experiment, Ilvo joined forces with the agricultural products manufacturer Aveve and the food company Alpro, best known for its soy-based snacks and drinks. According to Alpro spokesperson Ann De Jaeger the company has great confidence in Flemish soy.
Super bean
“We strive to supply our factories with locally grown soy,” she says. “At the moment, half of our soy input originates from Europe. Our factory in France runs completely on locally grown soy. We’d like to see the same thing in Flanders.”
The soybean plant offers a wide range of possible applications, from soy milk and soy nuts to tofu and tempeh. “The goal is to use the GMO-free soy for human consumption, which creates the most value,” says De Jaeger. “The first local fields have successfully introduced the crop. If a harvest doesn't meet the high quality requirements for human consumption – because of bad weather, for example – farmers can still sell their crops as animal feed.”
That’s one of the major benefits of soy, confirms Riebbels. “But sustainability is equally important,” she says. “A reduction in soy import from other continents would significantly diminish the crop’s carbon footprint.”
According to Riebbels, soy is also capable of fixing nitrogen – an important agricultural nutrient – into the soil, so that other plants can use it as well. “As a result, soy needs fewer chemical fertilisers,” she says, “and it leaves the soil in a better condition for the next crop.”
The plant holds great potential for Flanders, but Riebbels remains cautious. “We’re enthusiastic, and we believe the amount of farmland available for soy will increase. At the same time, we want to avoid uncontrolled impacts in supply and pricing. The rise of soy in Flanders should be dynamic, but gradual.”
Photo courtesy Alpro
