Sustainable soy: Nourishing the minds of the next generation to feed growing populations

Consumer demand for protein remains a key driver of the global soybean market. ​

Most of this growth is concentrated in emerging markets, where a rapidly expanding middle class is fuelling the demand for high-quality, nutritious and yet affordable protein.

By the end of this decade, it is expected that the global population will hit 8.5 billion individuals.¹​ Meeting the need to feed more will require not only increased production of soy, but transformative improvements across the entire food value chain. This is one of the greatest challenges in food production history, requiring innovation, efficiency and enhanced education at unprecedented levels.

Around the world, U.S. Soy is part of billions of lives. Currently, nearly 60% of U.S. Soy products are exported. Long-term demand is increasing steadily, but it is crucial to transfer knowledge to local populations so they can effectively transform soy harvests into various soy-based food products. Additionally, using soy-based feed formulas is crucial for producing high-quality animal protein.

This is where the Soy Excellence Center (SEC) fills the gap: equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge needed to continue feeding the world safely, effectively and sustainably. The SEC provides capacity to build support that enhances productivity within the protein value chain.  

The SEC is focused on addressing the global need for sustainable food production by training the next generation of food professionals. Through a network of educational hubs, including Soy Excellence Center Asia (SEC Asia), the organisation provides specialised training in food production with an emphasis on soy’s role in supporting healthy, sustainable diets.

Instructors, backed by agricultural researchers from the US and globally, deliver education in key areas such as poultry, pork, aquaculture and food. The curriculum is designed to offer practical insights and hands-on learning for early-career professionals.

SEC also supports a digital community where participants exchange knowledge, collaborate on new ideas and build connections with industry experts. Flexible online courses allow learners to progress at their own pace, while benefiting from a global network.

The centers aim to develop more skilled professionals, increase food production capacity and meet the growing demand for U.S. Soy, contributing to the sustainable nourishment of the world’s expanding population.

SEC alumni Teoh Huey Lee and Chan Lee Chen share their positive experiences with the SEC training program, highlighting how it enhanced their technical skills, empowering them to contribute more effectively in their respective roles.

Enhancing feed quality for better protein 

At FFM Pulau Indah, Malaysia, Teoh Huey Lee oversees the production of a diverse range of feed products tailored for the poultry and livestock industries, ensuring quality and consistency across various product lines.

With a background in engineering, Huey Lee brings a passion for creative problem-solving to her role as a Feed Production Specialist at FFM. One of her notable achievements was introducing a fat coater to improve the conditioning process which enhanced the quality and durability of the feed she produced.

Her team supported the implementation by installing necessary piping, overcoming spatial limitations and boosting overall production efficiency.

Huey Lee’s involvement with SEC Asia further expanded her theoretical and practical knowledge of feed milling. The program provided her with a detailed guide to troubleshooting, refining production techniques and improving feed performance post-consumption – key factors in ensuring the quality of animal protein.

"The mentorship and guidance I received from the Soy Excellence Center Asia instructors have been invaluable. It has helped me to develop solutions aimed at enhancing feed production processes at our mill,” says Huey Lee.

“With this experience, I've gained a deeper understanding of feed safety protocols. I am better equipped to communicate these standards effectively to my team, making operations smoother and more productive."

With her newly acquired skills, Huey Lee is enhancing production practices in the feed industry, aiming to deliver superior animal performance and positively impact the livelihoods of farmers.

Better feed, better pork

Feed formulation plays an integral role in animal health and nutrition. Through the careful selection and combination of ingredients, these formulations can enhance the health and welfare of livestock.

This is a development that Chan Lee Chen, a Technical Manager at Farmsfield – an animal feed manufacturer based in Johor, Malaysia – knows all too well. She had been exploring various avenues to manage piglet diarrhoea issues, recognising that these health challenges were influenced by a range of factors, including nutritional stress, environmental conditions and social stress.

Over the past year, Lee Chen has significantly advanced her technical knowledge and skills through multiple courses at SEC Asia – including the basic swine, feed milling and poultry courses. These courses broadened her understanding of the entire feed production process, from ingredient quality to the final product. She learned the importance of every step in the feed mill, such as proper storage conditions, grinding techniques and pelleting.

This comprehensive knowledge enabled her more effectively to address challenges in animal health and performance that impact nutrition. Through lessons at the SEC, she was able to pinpoint the root causes of the piglets' ailments and implement targeted solutions to improve their health.

Lee Chen is dedicated to applying her SEC Asia learnings to enhance feed production processes and improve the quality of animal nutrition. Her commitment to food safety and sustainability motivates her to provide optimal nutrition for animals, thereby positively impacting the food value chain.

Reflecting on the program, Lee Chen says: "The Soy Excellence Center has equipped me with invaluable knowledge and skills that have transformed my approach to feed production. I am committed to ongoing learning and continually strive to achieve better results in the industry."

In line with SEC’s mission of ‘Building the skills of early career protein professionals, our Tomorrow Solvers’, alumni like Huey Lee and Lee Chen exemplify how SEC graduates are making meaningful contributions to the protein value chain.

Through its extensive courses, commitment to accessibility and emphasis on sustainable practices, the SEC is shaping the future of animal health and nutrition, equipping professionals with the skills needed to drive innovation and sustainability in global food production, while meeting the growing demand for nutritious and affordable food.

Find out more ways to drive ​​innovation and meet the growing demand for nutritious, affordable protein​​.​

References​

1. ​United Nations. Population​.