Workshop of Local Soy Utilization

Indonesia once experienced soy self-sufficiency in 1992. Domestic soy production at that time reached some 1.66 million tons and had already fulfilled national soy needs. After 1992, however, the cultivation area and productivity decreased because soy exchange value was still very low. With this condition, the farmers felt that it would only cost a fortune to plant soy. Soy import policy including  import tariff policy that does not support domestic soy production became one factor of the low production.
“The rumor saying that local soy is not suitable for making tempeh has reduced the effort of increasing domestic soy production because 60% of imported soy is used for tempeh industry,” said Dean of Faculty of Agricultural Technology, UGM, Dr. Ir. Djagal Wiseso Marseno, M.Agr., during the National Soy Workshop on Friday (11/12).
According to Djagal, besides the new policy of soy import tariff which in 2008 was 0%, review and policy for distributing local soy to tempe industry are needed. The Government through Ministry of Agriculture continues to attempt to reach the soy self-sufficiency in 2014. Therefore, since several years ago efforts to increase soy production through program of  second crop (palawija) and corn planting movement (Gemapalagung) have continued eventhough the result is still not much seen. Those need to be supported by extended areas and direct distribution of soy superior variety.
Djagal Wiseso said that local soy price from farmers with dirt level 10-15% is Rp5000/kg and if the dirt level is only 5% the price can reach Rp5500/kg. With that price, farmers already get profit so they are   interested planting soy again. In that case, tempeh industry can also benefit from it as long as the quality and availability are maintained.
The workshop with the theme “Strategy for Acceleration of Soy Self-sufficiency and Industrial Readiness in Utilizing Local Soy” presented speakers Managing Director of National Logistics Agency, Ir. Sutarto Alimoeso, M.M., discussing “Re-orientation of the National Logistics Agency’s Policy for Soy Self-sufficiency in 2014”, General Director of P2HP, Prof. Dr. Ir. Zaenal Bahrudin, M.Sc., analyzing “Challenge and Opportunity of Small  and Home Industries based on Local Soy in Replacing Imported Soy”, and Director of KABI, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Ir. Muchlizar Murkam, M.M., discussing “National Soy Development in 2009” and Edy Kemenady from PT Sari Husada Tbk., who analyzed problems of “Partnership Model of Farmers and Industry in Developing Affordable Local Soy-Based Products”.