La soya en Ecuador: importancia y alternativas para su producción sustentable con rentabilidad económica

Soybean (Glycine max) has strategic importance for food security in Ecuador, due to its high protein content for both human and animal feed. Soybean or soybean meal cakes are a key input for the production of animal feed used for the production of poultry, pork, eggs, and to a lesser extent for cattle feed. Soybeans are also used for human consumption, mainly as soy vegetable oil, soymilk, soy margarine, soy sauce, and other preparations. The nutritional components of soybeans contain all nine amino acids essential for the body, which is also important for human food. The research conducted a documentary investigation based on scientific articles and statistical sources, in order to learn about some aspects of the soybean value chain, its importance, and the yield of soybean cultivation in Ecuador, a country that is highly dependent on imports of this food. In order to contrast the benefits of each of the varieties and techniques presented, we compared some research results with the ultimate goal of selecting the most feasible in terms of yields, sustainability, and economic profitability for Ecuador. Based on the findings derived from the comparative analysis, the application of nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Rhizobium, Azorhizobium, and Bradyrhizobium) is proposed as the sustainable and appropriate strategy, since it favors crop yield and improves the physicochemical conditions of the cultivated soils while promising high economic profitability. We also recommended experimental studies in order to formulate and test organic fertilizers that reduce production costs and provide the necessary nutrients for better crop development and, therefore, better production results. In addition, in order to reduce the environmental impact of fertilizer residues in water and the atmosphere it would allow for achieving attractive economic profitability in farms. Finally, implementing appropriate policies to increase domestic soybean production and to reduce dependence on imports is also recommended.