Soya is one of the most ecologically valuable and efficient crops in the world. The soya plant can cover around two thirds of its nitrogen requirements itself, which is why it requires little fertiliser. The favourable production costs and the high protein values as well as the protein composition (the amino acids are comparable to animal protein) predestine it for a wide and versatile use. In the form of lecithin, flour, tofu or oil, soya is an important part of our diet. However, soya is also used in animal feed, cosmetics, printing inks, plastics and agricultural fuels.

Around 75% of the soya produced worldwide is used as animal feed, especially for pigs and poultry. Soya is very digestible for livestock. If we wanted to cover our protein requirements with another plant, we would have to cultivate larger areas.