LEADING SOYBEAN PRODUCERShttp://www.myfaithfarm.co.keEmail: info@ myfaithfarm.co.ke+254723464830

A BRIEF INSIGHT INTO SOYBEAN PRODUCTION OUR PERSPECTIVE

WHAT ARE SOYBEANS?Soybeans belong to the legume family and are native to East Asia. They have been an important protein source in the Orient for over five thousand years. Soybeans have only been introduced to the Western world since the 20th century. Soybeans grow on a variety of soils and a wide range of climates, ranging from tropical Brazil to the snowy island Hokkaido in the north of Japan. As soybeans mature in the pod, they ripen into hard, dry beans. Although most soybeans are yellow, A given area of land planted with soybeans can produce much more protein than land planted with other crops, or if the land were used to raise cattle.

Protein sourceWhole soybeans are an excellent source of protein and dietary fibre. Soy protein is the only vegetable with a complete protein. Soy protein has recently attracted a lot of attention because of its ability to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) levels. Results from research have prompted health professionals to request the government to officially give a stamp of approval for soy's cholesterol-lowering effects. The Food and Drug Administration approved the cholesterol-lowering health claim for soy, indicating that daily consumption of 25 grams of soy protein (6.5 grams of soy protein per serving) may lower LDL cholesterol.

WHO WE ARE

My Faith Farms is a large farming establishment based in Rumuti, Kenya. Our main objective is to take Soybean farming to the next level, to bridge the gap and supply a great percent of the high demand of soya in Kenya and the Eastern Africa Region.Currently we have 1800 acres on Soybean. This is just but a fraction of the bigger picture.In the next one year, we plan to plant up to10, 000 acres and this shall progress till we have covered at least 70,000 acres in the next 5 years.

WHY WE STAND OUTAs we enter soybean planting time, the most critical management period for soybean production, we remember a few of the most critical decisions that can be made, and we do exactly that to maximize production. Here are bits:

We select and plant only the best varieties: Not all soybeans are equal. Each year, seed companies sell soybean seed with a wide range in yield potential. Typically, the best-yielding varieties produce between 20 percent and 40 percent greater yields than those at the bottom. We make our initial selections carefully by using third-party yield information, and only accept substitutions with proven yield potential.

We correct low-testing soils in good time: We test our farm field soil, and carefully evaluate soil test results. We know that once planted its too late to fix soil deficiencies. Our experience has taught us never to apply nitrogen to soybeans. Nitrogen very rarely increases soybean yields not to mention extremely rare economic returns.

We plant early, scientifically observing the weather patterns: In most areas, soybean yields respond to early planting.We plant as early as possible, but only into good soil conditions. Besides this, we carefully plan and observe weather using satellite forecasting tools to ensure we get production right from the word go.

We plant in narrow rows: Soybeans planted in narrow rows will out-yield those planted in 30-inch rows or wider. After our preliminary tests, we came up with the best spacing standards to maximize our yields. After planting, populations are managed carefully.

We dont trust post-emergence-only herbicide program: Our prowess in agriculture has seen us develop best practices in managing crops in the fields. We reduce short- and long-term risks by using herbicides with diverse modes of action.

Finally, we have adequate land at our disposal to implement the soya farming project fully. As such, we have a very huge scope and ability to grow.

WHY SOYBEANS?In the current world soybeans have found numerous uses in almost all sectors of the economy. When processed, a 60-pound bushel will yield about 11 pounds of crude soybean oil and 47 pounds of soybean meal.Soybeans are about 18% oil and 38% protein.Because soybeans are high in protein, they are a major ingredient in livestock feed. Most soybeans are processed for their oil and protein for the animal feed industry.A smaller percentage is processed for human consumption and made into products including soy milk, soy flour, soy protein, tofu and many retail food products. Soybeans are also used in many non-food (industrial) products.Some soybeans are needed to produce another crop each year.High quality soybeans are grown, harvested and purchased by the seed industry to be used as seed for the next years crop. Researchers in the seed industry focus on developing new soybean varieties with outstanding characteristics including high yield, lodging resistance, nematode resistance, herbicide tolerance, and many other desirable characteristics.FOOD FOR HUMANSNearly all soybeans are processed for their oil. Soy processors (such as Cargill & ADM) take the raw soybeans and separate the oil from the meal.The oil may be refined for cooking and other edible uses, or sold for biodiesel production or industrial uses.The processors bake the high-protein fiber that is left after the oil is removed and sell it for animal feed.Soybean oil is used in cooking and frying foods.Margarine is a product made from soybean oil. Salad dressings and mayonnaises are made with soybean oil.Some foods are packed in soybean oil (tuna, sardines, etc.) Baked breads, crackers, cakes, cookies and pies usually have soybean oil in them.FEED FOR ANIMALSThe high-protein fiber (that which remains after processing hasremoved the oil) is toasted and prepared into animal feed for poultry, pork, cattle, other farm animals and pets. The poultry and swine industries are major consumers of soybean meal. Over half of the soybeans processed for livestock feed are fed to poultry, about one-quarter is fed to swine, and the rest is used for beef cattle, dairy cattle and pet food.Soy protein is increasingly found in fish food, both for home aquariums and for the fish grown for eating. Most marine species were fed fish meal at one time, but the scarcity and increasing cost of fish meal has led producers to switch to high protein soymeal for a variety of marine species.Around the world, soy protein may be found in feed for most animals.

BIODIESELBiodiesel fuel for diesel engines can be produced from soybean oil by a simple process called transesterification.This process removes the glycerine from the oil, leaving soy biodiesel. Soy biodiesel is cleaner burning than petroleum-based diesel oil. Its use reduces particulate emissions, and it is non-toxic, renewable and environmentally friendly. Biocomposites are building materials made from recycled newspaper and soybeans. They replace other products traditionally made from wood, such as furniture, flooring, and countertops. Particleboard, laminated plywood and finger-jointed lumber are made with soy-based wood adhesives.

Soy products are also found in many popular brands of home and commercial carpet, and in auto upholstery applications. Soy oil produces an environmentally friendly solvent that safely and rapidly removes oil from creeks, streams and shorelines without harming people, animals and the environment.Soy is an ingredient in many industrial lubricants, solvents, cleaners and paints.

Candles made with soybean oil burn longer but with less smoke and soot.

SoyInk is superior to petroleum-based inks because soy ink is not toxic, renewable and environmentally friendly, and it cleans up easily.

Soy crayons replace the petroleum used in regular crayons with soy oil making them non-toxic and safer for children.

Soy-based lubricants are as good as petroleum-based lubricants, but can withstand higher heat. More importantly, they are non-toxic, renewable andenvironmentally friendly.Soy-based hydraulic fluid and rail flange lubricants are among the more recent products developed with check-off funds. Soy based foams are currently being developed for use in coolers, refrigerators, automotive interiors and even footwear. VALUE ADDITION, OUR NEXT STOPWhile we specialize mainly on the growing of the soybean crop, we recognize that value addition is the key to making Soybean usable and maximize the income on that.To that effect, we are looking for prospective investor that we can partner with to bring this to reality.The exhaustive implementation of this shall come to be with the advice of KENINVEST and our legal advisors.We are open to ideas and is willing to bring onboard anyone, local or foreigner who is self driven and ready to grow with us as we take soya farming to the next level.