Mansur Alam, Pabna: Soybean is cultivated at BADC’s pulses and oilseeds production center at Pabna Tebunia. As we know, soybean is a potential crop of Bangladesh. Soybean for edible and edible oil production is now grown in the country, Pabna district is one of them. Apart from this, there is currently amad in about 10/12 districts of the country including Faridpur, Kushtia, Meherpur Akupi.

Soybeans contain unsaturated fatty acids, so they are particularly beneficial for patients with heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. Soybean seeds can also be used as pulses. Apart from this, Piyaju, Bara, Dudh, Chapati, Parata, Bread, Biscuit, etc. are used in Teri. The most interesting thing is that different kinds of pithas can be made from soybean seeds. Soybean seeds are currently used in the poultry industry and in the preparation of fish feed. Speaking to the reporter, BADC Deputy Director Dr. Shamim Ahmed said, Soybean seeds have been sown on a total of 4 acres of land in Tebunia BADC Farm this year. Soybean seeds of Bina-7 variety have been sown in plots No. 1,2,5,6,7,8,9 of our agricultural farm. It is hoped that the right amount of seed will be produced at the right time. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute initially developed 3 varieties of soybean. Currently, a total of 5 varieties of soybean seeds are being produced in Bangladesh. Among them Sohag PP-1, Bangladesh Soybean-4 (G-2), Bari Soyabin-5, Bari Soyabin-6 and Veena-7 are some.

All these soybean plants take about 3 months to mature. The yield is about two to two and a half tons per hectare. That is 14/15 per bigha. Soybean seed price per kg in the market is about Tk 250. That is, 10.00 rupees per maund is being sold. Belal Ahmed, Assistant Accountant, Pulses and Oilseeds Production Center, told Business Mirror, We produce and process soybean seeds and distribute them to the marginal farmers of Vela at a fair price through our own dealers. Apart from this, arrangements are made to train farmers to create interest in soybean cultivation. Soybean seeds are sown in rows. Distance per row i.e. distance from one tree to another tree is 3 cm and distance between each tree is 5-6 cm. It is known from field level investigation that many farmers of Pabna district are showing interest in soybean cultivation due to financial and commercial benefits.