Otun (Ekiti) – An agriculture consultant, Dr Olawale Bamgbola, has advised farmers in the South-West to cultivate soya beans as they commence another farming season.
Bamgbola, who made the call on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Otun, Moba LGA of Ekiti, said there is high demand for soya beans in Nigeria.
He said that the average farmer in the South-West preferred to cultivate maize to soya beans.
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He attributed this to lack of knowledge of the economic benefits of soya beans.
He said that farmlands suitable for planting grains are also good for cultivating soya beans.
“The duration for planting and harvesting soya beans is from July to November and one hectare of soya beans farm can produce up to two tonnes.
“Milk factories across the world now prefer soya beans as raw materials.
“Feed mills also demand for soya beans apart from industries that need it for oil extraction and other purposes.
“In fact, the demand for soya beans is much greater than other grains our farmers cultivate here in the South-West and the high demand make its cultivation more profitable than maize, “ he said.
Bamgbola urged agriculture extension officers to intensify efforts in encouraging farmers to cultivate soya beans.
He urged industries whose main raw materials is soya beans to partner state and federal ministries of Agriculture to mobilise soya beans farmers for massive cultivation. (NAN)
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