Research project Towards a sustainable and profitable soybean cultivation in Flanders

General introduction

Soy production in Flanders is not only feasible, but has significant potential to become a profitable and sustainable crop. Good news in the ongoing search for alternatives to soy imports from Latin America. These imports not only raise social and environmental questions, but also cause price fluctuations with significant effects on Flemish farmers. Current challenges for local soybean cultivation are yield optimization, improved quality and the creation of local markets. The SOY2GROW project has taken steps forward in all three areas.

Research approach

Yield and quality was tested for several soybean varieties. High-yielding varieties suitable for Flemish conditions were selected. Field trials showed that inoculating soybean plants with nitrogen-fixing bacteria is crucial to achieve good yields and high protein quality. Incorporating soy into crop rotation was found to offer clear benefits, including improved soil health and reduced reliance on chemical fertilizers thanks to nitrogen fixation.

Guidance on cultivation techniques and marketing of locally produced soybeans is required, despite much progress in this area. Agent-based modeling was used to simulate the willingness of European farmers to switch to soybean cultivation. This provided valuable insights into potential adoption and obstacles to adoption. The introduction of soybeans into crop rotations demonstrated clear advantages, including better soil health and reduced reliance on chemical fertilizers due to nitrogen fixation.

Despite significant progress, farmers still need guidance on cultivation practices and marketing strategies before they can fully capitalize on locally produced soybeans. Agent-based modelling was used to simulate the willingness of European farmers to adopt soybean production, providing valuable insights into potential adoption rates and barriers.

Relevance/Valorization

For farmers, soybean cultivation offers a valuable opportunity to diversify crop rotations with a profitable legume crop. The economic potential is great if the soybean has high protein content and meets food quality standards. Moreover, the development of Flemish soy offers a sustainable and locally grown raw material to processors and suppliers. Further development of the soy value chain in Flanders is essential to scale up production. Creating strong market opportunities, especially within the animal feed sector, and improving processing infrastructure are crucial to support farmers and ensure the success of this crop in the region.

Financing

VLAIO
Colruyt
LIDL
Alpro
Agrifirm
Anné Mechnaisatie
AVEVE
BFA
Boerenbond
Borlix
CNH Industrial Belgium
Jorion-Philip Seeds
Man@Machine
Maschio
Rikolto
Steeno NV