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The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has declared ‘Soya Meal’ as an Essential Commodity up to June 30, 2022, by amending the Schedule of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

Significance:

• The decision would empower the Union Government and all States/UTs to regulate production, distribution etc. of Soya Meal.
• It will smoothen the sale and availability of this item in the market.
• It will stop unfair market practices and
• It is going to enhance the availability for consumers like Poultry farms and Cattle feed manufacturers.

About Soybean:

• It is an annual legume of the pea family (Fabaceae).
• It is native to East Asia, widely grown for its edible bean, which has numerous uses.
• It is economically the most important bean in the world, providing vegetable protein for millions of people and ingredients for hundreds of chemical products.
• Traditional unfermented food uses of soybeans include soy milk, from which tofu and tofu skin are
• It contains significant amounts of phytic acid, dietary minerals and B vitamins.