Belgium plans to start growing soybeans

The East Flanders region in Belgium has launched a large-scale project to establish the production of soybeans, which do not require the use of expensive and now scarce nitrogen fertilizers, and will also eliminate their import from the United States, VRTnws reported.

“The goal: to make soy a profitable and sustainable crop in Belgian Flanders. Currently, soy is imported mainly from the United States and Latin America. Its main advantage is that this plant is rich in protein and does not require fertilizers, since it absorbs nitrogen from the air,” explained the Flemish Institute of Biotechnology (VIB), whose estimates were cited by the publication.

According to VRTnws, Belgian scientists are testing 320 varieties of soybeans, trying to find the most resistant to the kingdom’s climate, which will withstand possible frosts. Sceptics believe that soy will not take root in Belgium, but the authors of the project claim that “40-50 years ago, corn was also considered a tropical plant, and Belgium was the northernmost country in Europe that grew this crop.” “This will provide us with greater food independence, which is especially important in a period of geopolitical tension, and will also provide the population with plant protein,” VIB said.

Tags: soybean, Belgium