Soybean Production - Essay Example

Running Head: Soybean Production Name: Course Code: Name of Institution: Date of Submission: Introduction Technological, sustainability, and society aspects of crop production is emerging a promising option to to ensure food sustainability in the global society today. The emerging trend of technology use to produce high yield crops such as soybean is becoming widespread and highly welcome in meeting human need for food. As the production of soybean in South America is getting activated, the stable supply of foodstuff becomes critical. Active works are constantly on the rise to ensure constant supply of soybean in the area through technological advancements (Patel, 2008). One approach is the breeding of the protein crops to attain high yields and productivity. The other approach is to identify and address challenges facing soybean production industry within the region. This is of high importance since the crop has a lot of functions across the globe. Soybean in South America contributes almost 60% of the total economic activity. Soybean falls among the categories of crops that are genetically modified to result in high yields. Soybean has high protein content in its nutritious value. According to Kinney and Clemente (2005), soybean oil can be used to modify and enhance performance in biodiesel blends. Soybean is among the most nutritional crop around the globe as Patel (2008), explains that it is almost 34% protein with over 20% edible oil. Soybean oil is also useful in the manufacturing of vanaspati ghee alongside other industrial products. Besides the human nutritional value, soybeans can also be used in manufacturing protein food for chicken and cattle farming. Research indicates that the use of soybean in making food for poultry farming and hay for cattle farming improves production (Riaz, 2006). The name ‘wonder crop’ adopted globally or he crop indicates its varied uses and applications. As stated earlier, soybean production touches on various aspects such as technological, sustainability, and society. This paper aims to unravel the technology, sustainability, and societal aspects of soybean production in South America with views from three hypothetical individuals presented as Native South American Indian spokesperson, A cattle feed / biofuel industry spokesperson, and an influential politician of Brazil. Native South American Indian spokesperson Application of technology in the growth of soybean started way back in 1995 with the introduction of genetically modified soybeans that are resistant to glyphosate allowed farmers to increase their yield through offering farmers with more flexibility in timing of herbicide applications. Technology in the form of weed prevention, control of pests, and treatment of farm diseases makes the technology very paramount in the production of soybean (Murphy, 2004). However, the use of machinery and the entire technology of seed production can prove so expensive for farmers since research charges are transferred to the cost of seeds and hence higher expense than natural seeds. Finally, chemicals used in farming may result in environmental pollution that may endanger human, animal, and plant living in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Sustainability in relation to soybean production looks at the point where soybean production to sustain human food needs while at the same time maintaining the needs of the present and taking care of the future. It is a fact that the seeds for genetically modified crops are quite higher than those of natural crops (Dros, 2004). Sustainability of soybean is in the sense of adopting reliable technology that increases food productivity while being a generous steward of the environment. Sustainability is also possible through supply of nutritious food that foster human health. However, with some negative and misguided notion on genetically engineered crops such as soybeans, their sustainability may remain at stake. Although soybean farmers and the entire society appreciates the production as an important source of food and nutrition, business, and income, disadvantages of the most genetically modified foods such as high cost of seeds, low prices, and poor profits demoralize farmers. The labor used in the production of soybean coupled with the high cost of firm puts may kill the morale f community perception of soybean production when compared with the low prices and poor profits realized farmers (Hirsch, 2004). There is also the question of potential ethical questions that come with genetically engineered crops and the potential environmental impacts such as soil conservation and Bioprocessing for forestry products, loss of flora and fauna and affect soil creatures. A cattle feed / biofuel industry spokesperson With the use of soybean in manufacturing cattle food, it is foreseeable that its sustainability is quite high compared to other natural crops. With many people adopting cultivation of genetically engineered food crops, sustainability of soybeans is unbeatable. This sustainability of the environment is noticeable through reduction in soil erosion, reduction in herbicide run off, reduced carbon emissions, and improved prevention of top soil. It is for this reason that social, economic, and ecological interaction associated with soybean production is quite uncommon (Murphy, 2004). Therefore, sustainability of soybean production in cattle feeding and biofuel manufacturing is of great importance in the economy. On a societal aspect, soybean production in South America is quite paramount as the society and production itself can be termed as synonymous. This is evidenced by the fact that soybean production is the major source of food production and source of food security in the society. Soybean production is also another major source of employment and economic stability through the marketing of the farm produce. This is also important because soybean production is the major source of human health through nutrition. Alongside this point is the aspect of bio-piracy that includes the foreign exploitation of natural resources by superpower status (Schimmelpfennig & Pray, 2004). However, higher yields of soybean production can make the society solely dependent on the soybean production without considering other food crops. Finally, soybean production affects society through improved ways of life by increasing household income. Technology is another aspect touching on production of soybean. There are various unjustified claims that technology applied in the preparation of soybean seeds, prevention of pests, and control of diseases are of negative impacts on human health and environmental conservation. However, research indicates that the level of safety for consumers of genetically modified crops is equivalent to that of consumers of natural food crops (Bickel &Dros, 2003). Furthermore, additional developments in technology to provide more pesticide resistant breeds of soybean will provide farmers with breeds that come with reduced costs of production. A powerful and influential political from Brazil There are several reasons to believe that the societal aspects of soybean production are of much importance and thus the encouragement of its production. Firstly, embers of the society appreciates the fact that soybean food products are minimally processed and allows consumers to easily get access to all of the naturally occurring nutrients that are contained in the soybean product. Furthermore, soybean does not only provide isoflavones but also important nutrients that are medically recommended for better human health in the society. Isoflavones for instance is a compound widely researched and the findings indicate that it is useful in building strong bones and maintaining a healthy heart condition among individuals (Dros, 2004). Finally, the society benefits from high yields of soybean and low cost food. This improves the general food productivity and improves food security within the society. Sustainability of soybean considers its ability to meet food demands in the current society while taking care of the environment. South American soybean farmers have been considering sustainability long before it became widely debated and are still at it. Sustainability also ensures continued supply of food. On environmental sustainability, there has been a greater reduction in carbon emission and improved productivity at the same time. Since soybean plantations are in such manner that plants are planted loser together to reduce weed pressure and improve soil moisture retention (Hirsch, 2004). Finally, technology is the main reason behind the high yield production and successful growth of soybean in South America. The use of technology in soybean production however puts soybean farmers at a very comprising situation. This is quite evident with the fact that technological costs are passed on to farmers. Nonetheless, the government should consider waiving technological costs passed on to farmers to ensure reduction of production costs associated with soybean production (Bickel &Dros, 2003). Conclusion Soybean production is South America’s major economic activity. The crop has many nutritional uses in providing food security for humans and for the purposes of processing cattle and poultry food. The crop has high yields for farmers and hence its wide production across the region. Technology plays a quite important role in soybean production. Right from choosing the correct breed of seeds through research, applying pesticides for weed prevention, and chemicals for control of soybean diseases, technology proves to be of much importance in realizing maximum production of soybean farming. With this in mind, it is evident that technology is essential for soybean production. On sustainability aspect, soybean production and its protein are far cost effective and highly regarded for environmental conservation. Due to high demands for energy and natural resources, food production has turned into a global concern. The footprint is also another concern that consumers keep evaluating in the products they use and the number of resources used in production of the products they consume. Soybean sustainability is also evaluated from its aspect of being an efficient source of protein through its efficiency in return for energy users. Societal aspects of soybean production come in handy through economic empowerment resulting from employment opportunities and the sale of soybean products. Society benefits from protein supply of soybean, low cost of production, high yields, and good profits resulting from the export and sale of soybean products. Reference List Bickel, U &Dros, J 2003, The Impacts of Soybean Cultivation on Brazilian Ecoystems, (Bonn: AIDEnvironment-WWF) p 33.Available at http://assets.panda.org/downloads/impactsofsoybean.pdf Dros, J 2004, Managing the Soy Boom: Two Scenarios of Soy Production Expansion in South America, (Amsterdam: AIDEnvironment-WWF) pp 1–65 available at http://assets.panda.org/downloads/managingthesoyboomenglishnbvt.pdf Hirsch, R 2004, Regional competitiveness analysis of the soybean industry and transportation infrastructure in Brazil, Masters Thesis, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois. Murphy, D 2007, Plant Breeding and Biotechnology: Social Context and the Future of Agriculture, Cambridge, UK, Cambridge University Press. Patel, R 2008, Stuffed & Starved From Farm to Fork, the Hidden Battle for the World Food System, London,, Portobello Books Ltd. Riaz, M 2006, Soy Applications in Food, Boca Raton, FL, CRC Press. Schimmelpfennig, D & Pray, M 2004, The impact of seed industry concentration on innovation: a study of US biotech market leaders, Agricultural Economics, 30, p, 157–167. Read More

Although soybean farmers and the entire society appreciates the production as an important source of food and nutrition, business, and income, disadvantages of the most genetically modified foods such as high cost of seeds, low prices, and poor profits demoralize farmers. The labor used in the production of soybean coupled with the high cost of firm puts may kill the morale f community perception of soybean production when compared with the low prices and poor profits realized farmers (Hirsch, 2004).

There is also the question of potential ethical questions that come with genetically engineered crops and the potential environmental impacts such as soil conservation and Bioprocessing for forestry products, loss of flora and fauna and affect soil creatures. A cattle feed / biofuel industry spokesperson With the use of soybean in manufacturing cattle food, it is foreseeable that its sustainability is quite high compared to other natural crops. With many people adopting cultivation of genetically engineered food crops, sustainability of soybeans is unbeatable.

This sustainability of the environment is noticeable through reduction in soil erosion, reduction in herbicide run off, reduced carbon emissions, and improved prevention of top soil. It is for this reason that social, economic, and ecological interaction associated with soybean production is quite uncommon (Murphy, 2004). Therefore, sustainability of soybean production in cattle feeding and biofuel manufacturing is of great importance in the economy. On a societal aspect, soybean production in South America is quite paramount as the society and production itself can be termed as synonymous.

This is evidenced by the fact that soybean production is the major source of food production and source of food security in the society. Soybean production is also another major source of employment and economic stability through the marketing of the farm produce. This is also important because soybean production is the major source of human health through nutrition. Alongside this point is the aspect of bio-piracy that includes the foreign exploitation of natural resources by superpower status (Schimmelpfennig & Pray, 2004).

However, higher yields of soybean production can make the society solely dependent on the soybean production without considering other food crops. Finally, soybean production affects society through improved ways of life by increasing household income. Technology is another aspect touching on production of soybean. There are various unjustified claims that technology applied in the preparation of soybean seeds, prevention of pests, and control of diseases are of negative impacts on human health and environmental conservation.

However, research indicates that the level of safety for consumers of genetically modified crops is equivalent to that of consumers of natural food crops (Bickel &Dros, 2003). Furthermore, additional developments in technology to provide more pesticide resistant breeds of soybean will provide farmers with breeds that come with reduced costs of production. A powerful and influential political from Brazil There are several reasons to believe that the societal aspects of soybean production are of much importance and thus the encouragement of its production.

Firstly, embers of the society appreciates the fact that soybean food products are minimally processed and allows consumers to easily get access to all of the naturally occurring nutrients that are contained in the soybean product. Furthermore, soybean does not only provide isoflavones but also important nutrients that are medically recommended for better human health in the society. Isoflavones for instance is a compound widely researched and the findings indicate that it is useful in building strong bones and maintaining a healthy heart condition among individuals (Dros, 2004).

Finally, the society benefits from high yields of soybean and low cost food. This improves the general food productivity and improves food security within the society.

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