ASA/WISHH World Food Prize presenters from left: Ghana Women in Poultry Value Chain President Victoria Norgbey; Cambodian Aquaculturist Association Chairman Raden Sok; and Iowa soybean grower Morey Hill who serves on the WISHH executive committee and the ASA board of directors.

ASA/WISHH’s World Food Prize virtual side event highlighted the unique role of strong agricultural associations to cultivate economic opportunities for their members as well as improve global food security. ASA Director Morey Hill, an Iowa soybean grower and WISHH executive committee member, shared his association insights alongside Ghana Women in Poultry Value Chain President Victoria Norgbey and Cambodian Aquaculturist Association Chairman Raden Sok.

The virtual program attracted 45 global food and feed leaders, as well as U.S. soybean growers. WISHH held the side event on Oct. 21 in cooperation with the World Food Prize that honors the legacy of Nobel Prize Winner Norman Borlaug. The World Food Prize recognizes the accomplishments of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity, or availability of food in the world.

“Associations are the rope that lets us all pull in the same direction to benefit everyone,” Hill said. “Associations are key for the many food security challenges facing the world today. We need to work together.”

“The biggest benefit of our 100-year-old ASA is to sort through the policy to protect and develop our markets,” he added. “Our association is the voice of soybean growers on trade, transportation, food security and much more.”

Hill also shared how ASA played a leadership role in the creation of the national soybean checkoff that allows U.S. soybean growers to invest in the research, education and promotion that drives demand for U.S. soybeans. “This research also contributes to innovation, and our customers benefit from even better soy for human foods and animal feeds,” he said.

Norgbey said that she is most proud of how their association work has led to the Ghanaian government increasing its recognition of the role of women poultry growers and created new opportunities for them to participate in programs and events. She also credited WISHH trainings and its USDA-funded programs for improving the technical expertise of the farmers to produce eggs, which she emphasized are vital to human nutrition as well as economic growth.

Chairman Raden described how in its first year their young association has grown to 411 members, ranging from fish farmers to feed millers to distributors. The association has already found ways to work closely with the government and ASA/WISHH’s USDA-funded project on many activities, including new financing options for the aquaculture industry. He cited the important role that fish farming has in global food security as well as Cambodia’s local communities.