Opportunities, Challenges, And Strategies To Increase Soybean Production In Indonesia

Soybean has long been a part of the traditional cuisine of Indonesian people since the 12 th century as the main ingredient used for a number of processed foods. As an important source of protein for food and feed, soybean demand is always high and exceeds the national production capacity. The deficit production requires imports to ensure food security. Therefore, Indonesian government has implemented many efforts to increase the national production due to some opportunities: high market demand, land and superior varieties availability. In order to seize this opportunity and be able to increase production, government should consider some strategies: securing suitable land for soybean cultivation including determination the centers for soybean production, expanding soybean cultivation to commercial scale, and providing sufficient water for farmers; applying technology to increase land and plant productivities the use of superior varieties and agronomic approach, applying integrated pest management, using specific and suitable machineries to increase plant stand, reduce grain lost, and increase grain quality; providing and strengthen market-producer network including post-harvest management, ensuring continuous supply for market, good process for both parties, and producing seed which meet market demand. Efforts in increasing soybean production will face some challenges: low fertility of the available land, lack of market driven quality traits in existing soybean varieties, and the unfavorable price paid for locally produced soybean. Facing these challenges, government should not focus only on enhancing production capacity but also strengthening farmer institutional, involving farmer in this effort (participation), and working with all parties including local government in synergy.