[Editorial] Multi-faceted policy support must be pursued to revitalize the soybean market

Following rice, the supply and demand situation for soybeans is also alarming. The government has been actively pushing a strategic crop policy to plant soybeans instead of rice in paddy fields in order to solve the rice surplus problem and increase the self-sufficiency rate of food. As a result, the area for soybean cultivation has significantly increased. However, while production is increasing, the consumption base and institutional support are not keeping up, leading to a situation where the government's purchased soybeans are piling up in warehouses and farmers are frustrated due to a lack of sales channels. In the midst of this, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs recently mentioned the need to adjust the area for soybean cultivation in paddy fields, which caused some controversy. There was strong criticism that it made no sense to encourage soybean cultivation and then push for a reduction policy again due to increased inventory. Farmers have invested ...