EDAMAME HARVEST. Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar (center) leads the harvest of edamame or young soybean in Barangay Talipapa, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija on Tuesday (Feb. 25, 2020). This is the first harvest of edamame in the country. (Photo by Joel Mapiles)
CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has encouraged farmers to plant edamame or young soybean, citing its fast-growing demand in the export market.
DA Secretary William Dar said edamame is the best alternative high-value crop from which farmers can earn high income.
He said that during dry season after rice cropping, farmers can diversify in growing high-value crops such as edamame.
“Growing edamame is advisable and is necessary in crop rotation. It is resistant to hot weather and can be harvested within 62 days, making it sustainable cash crop for Filipino farmers,” he said.
Dar led the initial harvest of the young soybean for the first time in the country in Barangay Talipapa, this city on Tuesday.
“We are in full support to this endeavor because farmers will be given the chance to get rich,” he said.
Dar said the department is thankful to private investors like the Top Shelf Corporation led by Raphael Pelayo, Elaine Timbol and Jeff Fernandez, North Luzon Farmers’ Cooperative through the guidance of former Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo, a member of DA Technical Advisory Group (TAG) who worked in partnership with Golden Beans and Grains Producers Cooperative in coordination with City Mayor Myca Elizabeth Vergara, in realizing edamame as an agriculture innovation.
“They are considered as innovators in promoting crop diversification using high value crops. The harvested edamame, a high value commercial crop, is now being exported to Japan. We are taking the lead and supporting in a big way the crop diversification program,” he said.
With the growing of edamame here, Dar expressed optimism this city will be put to the map of global trading market.
“Edamame has high yield potentials with high income. When exported to Japan, the farmers and their partners will really benefit from it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pelayo said they are planning to expand and utilize some 500 to 700 hectares of farmlands in Central Luzon to plant edamame due to its high demand in Japan.
“This is an alternative high-value crop for Filipino farmers. It is adaptable in the soil and climate of our country. We have the purchase order from Japan because our produce here is better than in Taiwan,” he said.
Edamame beans are whole, immature soybeans, sometimes referred to as vegetable-type soybeans. They are green and differ in color from regular soybeans, which are typically light brown, tan or beige. (PNA)
