- A hundred farmers attended the technical conference co-organized with the companies Elian Barcelona and Cerescamp to explore the possibilities of this crop as a sustainable and competitive alternative.
- Agrotecnio has signed an agreement with Elian Barcelona to promote soybean production in Spain and transfer its research to farmers.
Agrotecnio and the companies Elian Barcelona and Cerescamp SL organized the technical conference “Strengthening Local Agriculture: Value-Added Soybean Cultivation” with the aim of promoting soybean cultivation among local farmers. The event served to highlight the economic and environmental benefits of high-protein soybean production, promote crop diversification, and support more sustainable and competitive agricultural production.
The event began with a welcome speech by the director of Agrotecnio, José Antonio Bonet, who emphasized that “the intention of organizing this seminar is to provide first-hand information to farmers and offer them a viable and attractive alternative, thereby promoting a more dynamic and sustainable agricultural economy.”
High-protein soybeans: A pre-sold crop
The company Elian Barcelona, founded in 2021, owns a soybean processing plant at the port of Barcelona. With nearly 90 employees, it processes more than 740,000 tons of soybeans per year, mainly destined for the feed sector, making it a key player for the meat industry in Catalonia, Aragon, and the rest of Spain.
In response to the growing demand for non-GMO soy protein in Europe, Elian Barcelona is promoting the construction of a second processing plant, scheduled for 2027, where they will begin to produce, sustainably and innovatively, concentrated and textured proteins, which are used as ingredients in human consumption products such as alternative or “plant-based” foods.
The CEO of Elian Barcelona, Andreu Martín, explained that the company is committed to promoting soybean cultivation in Catalonia and Aragon, as “currently, Europe is not self-sufficient in soybean production, covering only 40% of its local demand in 2024.” Elian Barcelona is convinced that the conditions in these territories allow the development of a viable, sustainable, and economically profitable cultivation model.
Andreu Martín stated that when their second plant becomes operational, they expect to process large quantities of non-GMO soybeans, aiming for “at least 10,000 hectares to come from local production, although by 2025, we expect to reach a minimum of 500 hectares in Spain.” To achieve this, the company seeks the involvement of farmers, offering support at all stages of cultivation and guaranteeing the purchase of their production.
Benefits of soybean planting: Less water and high productive potential
In the third technical presentation of the session, Agrotecnio and University of Lleida researcher Daniel Plaza Bonilla presented to farmers the benefits of introducing soybeans into cropping systems. Soybeans are a key crop because they adapt to various conditions and have one of the highest protein contents in grains. Under Mediterranean irrigation conditions, soybeans have high productive potential, both as a single annual crop and in a double-harvest system after a winter crop.
The Agrotecnio researcher highlighted the opportunity to expand soybean production in Mediterranean irrigation areas. According to Plaza Bonilla, introducing soybeans into rotations improves the productivity of subsequent crops and reduces dependence on nitrogen fertilizer thanks to its ability to biologically fix nitrogen. This results in lower greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, reducing the carbon footprint of local production. Additionally, soybeans have lower water requirements than corn and, by diversifying rotation, can reduce the presence of pathogens.
Technical support from Cerescamp
Finally, to conclude the conference, agricultural technical engineer Martí Nabau from Cerescamp SL explained the company’s experience with this crop. With seven years of experience, Cerescamp offers a comprehensive service that includes the supply of inputs, technical support, as well as grain storage and drying for Elian Barcelona.
Nabau presented success stories in soybean cultivation over the past seven years, analyzing management and production costs in various scenarios. He also shared examples of practices that do not lead to successful cultivation, providing valuable information to farmers to optimize their results.
The event brought together a hundred farmers, technicians, and representatives of the agri-food sector, who participated in a rich discussion space, where doubts were resolved, and experiences were shared.
Elian Barcelona and Agrotecnio: A strategic agreement to boost soybean production
To boost the production of high-protein soybeans, Agrotecnio and the company Elian Barcelona have signed a collaboration agreement. The three-year project aims to achieve a cultivation area of 10,000 hectares per year.
The agreement will enable the implementation of agronomic advisory activities, research, and dissemination. The project will be led by Dr. Daniel Plaza Bonilla, principal investigator at Agrotecnio, and will be carried out on various commercial farms selected in collaboration with local producers.
The project foresees several key actions, including:
- Commercial farm characterization: Identification and analysis of land suitable for high-protein soybean cultivation.
- Technical advice: Support for optimizing agronomic management to improve yield and crop quality.
- Evaluation of cultivation techniques: Implementation of field trials to validate innovative practices that reduce costs and enhance productivity.
- Dissemination and outreach: Organization of workshops, technical conferences, and visits to processing plants to share knowledge with the agri-food and academic sectors.
This agreement leverages scientific knowledge and applied research to develop agronomic solutions adapted to local conditions. Both entities are committed to the development of the agri-food sector and the transfer of knowledge to producers.
