BHOJPUR: Farmers in Bhojpur are increasingly generating significant income through soybean cultivation. The crop has gained popularity as a commercial venture due to its ease of cultivation as an intercrop alongside primary crops and the rising demand for green soybean pods in local markets.
Ramala Thapa, a local farmer from Bhojpur Municipality-5, stated that green soybean pods are selling easily in local markets at prices ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 150 per kilogram.
She noted that because the crop requires minimal investment and effort while providing good returns, farmers have begun to view it as a reliable cash crop. “Another key feature of soybean farming is that it can be grown alongside other main crops. It can be planted in vacant spaces within orange orchards, maize fields, field edges, and among other fruit trees,” Thapa said.
Agricultural experts point out that beyond providing additional income and utilizing fallow land, soybean plants help improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen. Local farmer Bhim Prasad Phuyal noted that the demand for green soybean pods is growing daily. “There is no problem with market access as the produce sells as soon as it reaches the market. Consumers purchase the green pods to eat boiled or as a vegetable,” he said. He added that consumers highly value the produce for its nutritional content and taste.
As farmers continue to utilize the space between primary crops for additional income, soybean cultivation has become a robust means of livelihood and economic support for farmers in the rural areas of Bhojpur.
