In support of the Department of Agriculture's (DA) effort to boost crop production for food, feed, and industrial use, 30 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) from across Region 2 participated in a five-day Training of Trainers on Soybean Production and Processing held from May 19 to 23, 2025, at the Agricultural Training Institute–Regional Training Center 02 Cabagan Center, ISU Compound, Garita, Cabagan, Isabela.

The training was conducted in response to Memorandum Order No. 15, Series of 2021, which promotes the cultivation of high-potential crops such as soybean. Known for its high protein content, soybean is a valuable ingredient in both food products and animal feeds.

The program aimed to deepen the AEWs’ knowledge and skills in modern soybean production and processing technologies. In addition to theoretical lectures, participants engaged in practical training, including feed formulation, soybean food processing, and postharvest handling techniques. A visit to the DA-Cagayan Valley Research Center (DA-CVRC) allowed the participants to observe proper handling and management of soybean seeds in a real-world setting.

The training also became a platform for peer learning, as AEWs shared their field experiences in soybean cultivation. Insights from resource speakers including Mr. Raffy Ortega of DA-CVRC, Ms. Irene M. Estrella of DA-RCPC, Engr. Johnson Lameg, and Ms. Kathlyn Oliviaga of ATI-RTC 02—were complemented by the participants’ own stories and local practices.

By the end of the training, the AEWs left not only with enhanced technical knowledge but also with renewed motivation to promote soybean as a viable crop for strengthening food security and agricultural sustainability in the Cagayan Valley region.