"There is money in Soybeans” says Ferdinand Opena, a former OFW, now a farmer from Sitio Tungel, Isic isic, Vintar, Ilocos Norte, when asked why he wanted to venture on soybean processing.

Mr. Opena and wife Alma Marytes have been trying to start a business for the past years, however, their chosen ventures such as swine raising and malunggay trading did not materialize.  This did not hinder them to  start anew as they need to support their growing family.   In one of the trade fairs, Ferdinand attended in Manila, he learned of the many nutritional values and health benefits of soybeans.  He bought  soy milk and soybean coffee.  He tried the products and these gave him the idea to go into soybean coffee processing.

His love of listening to the radio directed him to look into possibilities on how he could be assisted.  Through the radio program hosted by the Extension Directorate, he learned the different programs and projects of MMSU.  Thus, together with her wife, they came to MMSU and sought assistance.  For them to know more about the MMSU services, they were invited to attend   the 1st Women Enterprise and Development Forum on May 24, 2016.   From the activity, they were able to learn and listen to the testimonies of entrepreneurs that were assisted by MMSU.  At the same time, they were able to see the products of these entrepreneurs.  Their participation in the forum and exhibit further ignited their interest to venture on soybean processing.

Spearheaded by the Extension Directorate, the training was conducted on June 24, 2016 with Mr. Pio Belen from the Research Directorate discussing the production technology of soybean.  Ms. Sarah Dabucon, the lady who pioneered rice coffee in Ilocos Norte demonstrated soybean coffee processing.  The training was conducted in Brgy. Isic-Isic, Vintar, Ilocos Norte.  The training on soybean production was conducted with the belief that when soybean coffee processing will materialized, there will be a ready source of raw materials.  The activity was held in coordination with the LGU Vintar through the Municipal Agriculture Office.

As an initial move, the couple bought a sack of soybean and processed this into soybean coffee which they sold to their friends from Vintar, Laoag City and Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.  They also gave the Extension Directorate their soybean coffee for sale at the MMSU UTC.  The Extension Directorate designed the label as part of their promotional strategy.

MMSU and the couple hope that in the future, they will also be reaping their success just like the women presently assisted by MMSU.

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