Soya cultivation can generate alternative jobs

Itanagar, Jun 24: Arunachal Pradesh with its suitable agro-climatic condition has huge potentials for cultivation of high protein soybean and its processing if farmers and entrepreneurs were given the required technical know-how and support to undertake its cultivation and marketing.

This was the outcome of the one-day seminar on 'Health benefits of soya protein and its application in food industry' held here yesterday. The seminar was organised by American Soybean Association (ASA)-International Marketing in association with North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Ltd (NERAMAC).

Speaking on the occasion, ASA technical director Dr Suresh Itapu said their main aim to come to the state was to encourage small scale entrepreneurs and farmers to come up with ventures in this field and create new markets in the region for this high protein content cereal that was absent in most of the tribal diets.

Dr Itapu further assured the gathering that the organisation was ready to offer technical consultancy on procurement of machines and tools to the interested unemployed youth and aspiring entrepreneurs, which, he said, was doing exceptionally well in other parts of the country, including other Northeastern states.

Highlighting the importance of soya products through a power-point presentation, he pointed out that if the farmers and entrepreneurs take up cultivation and processing of the cereal, it would play a vital role for the development of local markets and subsequent boom in the state's economy.

Agriculture secretary T Taloh informed that the state was growing soybeans of local variety and organic cultivation was also in progress. He sought the ASA's help to take up cultivation and processing of this cereal involving the locals for generating alternative employment.

Senior consultant of ASA Dr Kavita Reddy dwelling on health benefits of soy protein said it contained 40 per cent protein as compared to 8 per cent in rice, 12 per cent in wheat, 4 per cent in milk and 20 per cent in chicken. She also informed that India was the fifth largest producer of soyabean in the world, of which 20 per cent was used for producing oil. Suggesting change of domestic oil in one's home in every 3-4 months and urging use of soya oil, she said soya contained omega 3, which was found only in the liver of Salmon fish. She further said that soya oil helps in reducing heart and coronary related diseases.

NERAMAC executive director S Bhattacharjee and ASA consultant Ricky Thapar also spoke on the occasion.

UNI