Soybean cultivation in Flanders

Flanders is for his protein supply in animal feed strongly dependent ofthe import of soybeans from South-America. This import rises social andecological questions, and because of the high market price of soybeans,the economic consequences are significant for the Flemish farmer. Sincealternative protein crops are not full replacers for soybeans in animalfeed, the introduction of soybean cultivation in Flanders could be an interesting option for different target groups. This introduction alsofits in different Flemish (Actieplan Alternatieve Eiwitbronnen en Beleidsbrief 2012-2013 voor Landbouw, Visserij en Plattelandsbeleid) en European policy priorities (GLB).
 
Representatives of several stakeholders joined in September 2012 under organization ILVO to list the possibilities and bottlenecks for soybean cultivation in Flanders. Several pilot projects for soybean cultivation in NW-Europe (among the one at ILVO) showed clearly that the yields are promising, but that progress invarieties selection, inoculation, crop protection en cultivation technique are necessary to guaranty a competitive cultivation. This project wants to look into these needs to enable a breakthrough of an achievable and profitable soybean cultivation in Flanders.  
 
Through a participatory approach with a broad usersgroup, direct results by different target groups are aimed. First, by taking soybean in the cultivation plan, the competiveness of all Flemish farms withcultivated land can increase through the high market price of soybean and the reduced dependence of import. Furthermore, the crop diversification of animal production companies can increase. Since the cultivated soybean is also used by landless farms in their feed ration, all 21.000 Flemish farms (FOD Economie, 2012) benefit from the introduction of soybean cultivation in Flanders. Local soybean cultivation means a newsource of raw materials, who are GMO-free and responsible cultivated, for the feed industry. Retailers too can benefit from this ‘sustainable label’ of local soybean cultivation. This will stimulate breeding companies to develop productive varieties, who are adapted to the climate in NW-Europe.
 
The different field trials in this project will result in newsletters (kpi 1-6: in total 13) and a cultivation manual, by which the farmer can get started immediately. With “early adopters”, who participate in the participation platform, demo trials (kpi 18) are installed and together with technical an promotional publications (kpi 11+13: 6 + 4 publications), informing meetings (kpi 17 with each time 25 participants) and a projectwebsite (kpi 12) it should result in the cultivation of initial 30 ha soybeans at 10 farmers. After the end of theproject, a much broader application is expected (potential area of 60.000 ha) through the stimulated breeding and further optimization. This results in the use of local cultivated, responsible soybeans in animal feed, in human food and finally in the retail. Thanks to close consultations, these innovations and changes are participative induced.
 
The economic impact for farmers who cultivate soybeans, can be high. In our neighbouring countries France (Elzas) and Germany (Beieren) is soybean recently grown to a fully and profitable cultivation. This project will determine the economic feasibility under Flemish conditions by identifying the possible valorization pathways and investigating theprofitability. Reduced dependency of high market prices with animal production companies will also raise the competitive ability of Flemish farmers. Furthermore, soybean as an additional crop in a rotation system can be important in the context of the European ‘greeningbonus’ of the Gemeenschappelijk Landbouw Beleid.
 
There can be concluded that the introduction of soybean cultivation in Flanders is promising for a large group in the agriculture sector. By eliminating the bottlenecks and a participative approach, a breakthrough of a profitable soybean cultivation is possible with this project.