Staff Reporter :
For the first time in Bangladesh, Soy Month was officially celebrated through a collaborative initiative by the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council (BPICC) and the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC). The event, held at the BPICC office in Bashundhara, Dhaka, brought together key stakeholders from the poultry, feed, and food industries to spotlight the nutritional power and economic importance of soybeans.
Shamsul Arefin Khaled, President of BPICC, emphasized that soybean meal is a cornerstone of animal feed, vital for livestock and poultry growth. He noted that soybean’s rich amino acid profile, including essential components like lysine and tryptophan, makes it an irreplaceable protein source. “Compared to fishmeal, soybean meal is not only nutritionally efficient but also a more economical feed option,” Khaled stated.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s growing dependency on soybean imports, Moshiur Rahman, President of the World’s Poultry Science Association – Bangladesh Branch (WPSA-BB), said the country consumes between 2.5 and 2.6 million tonnes of soybean meal annually, with 60-75% processed locally from imported soybeans.
Md. Nazrul Islam, General Secretary of the Feed Industries Association Bangladesh (FIAB), stressed that as Bangladesh anticipates a surge in chicken and egg consumption by 2050, the demand for soybean meal will increase accordingly. “Soy is essential not only for feed but also for ensuring the country’s food security,” he noted.
In a message, Md. Hasan, Managing Director of City Group, referred to soybeans as a “miracle bean” for their complete amino acid content. City Group, a major producer of soybean oil and soymeal, imports soybeans primarily from the United States. He lauded the celebration of Soy Month as a timely and important initiative.
Similarly, Mrs. Tanzima Mostafa, Director of Meghna Group of Industries (MGI), underlined soybean’s contribution to both human and animal nutrition.
