Groundnut and soybean economies of Asia: facts, trends and outlook

Birthal, P.S. and Rao, P.P. and Nigam, S.N. and Bantilan, M.C.S. and Bhagavatula, S. (2010) Groundnut and soybean economies of Asia: facts, trends and outlook. Technical Report. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, India.

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Abstract

Globally, groundnut and soybean are the two most important oil-bearing leguminous crops that contribute significantly to the food and nutrition security of the poor, particularly in developing countries where they are widely grown. Both groundnut and soybean are multipurpose crops, used as food, feed and intermediate inputs in the food processing industry.Asia is an important producer and consumer of groundnut and soybean. In 2005-07, it contributed about 66 percent to the global production of groundnut and 13 percent of soybean. During the last two and a half decades, production of these crops in Asia has grown at an impressive rate. Groundnut production increased at an annual rate of 3.1 percent, from 12.5 million tons in 1981-83 to 24.0 million tons in 2005-07, and soybean production rose from 10.9 million tons to 27.4 million tons at an annual rate of 3.7 percent. Yields of both groundnut and soybean are lower in Asia than in developed countries. These low yields are due to a number of biotic and abiotic constraints, such as farmers’ lack of access to quality inputs, improved technologies and information, and frequent attacks by pests and diseases. More importantly, these crops are grown in marginal environments characterized by acute shortage of irrigation water, and low and uncertain rainfall that restrict realization of their true potential.The scope of raising groundnut and soybean production in Asia through area expansion is extremelylimited. Hence, the main challenges for research and development are to (i) bridge the gap between actual and attainable yield by enhancing farmers’ access to quality inputs, improved technologies and information, (ii) incentivize farmers to improve the competitiveness of oilseed crops through domestic and border protection measures in relation to their substitutes and competing crops, and (iii) achieve a technological breakthrough that not only overcomes yield barriers but also provides effective protection against insect pests and diseases, and resistance to moisture stress.

Item Type:	Monograph (Technical Report)
Author Affiliation:	International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru 502 324, Andhra Pradesh, India
Subjects:	Social Sciences > Agricultural Economics
Divisions:	Groundnut Soyabean
Depositing User:	Sandhya Gir
Date Deposited:	28 Oct 2010 22:46
Last Modified:	29 Dec 2010 20:58
URI:	http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/386

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