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Apr 25, 2013
ASA’s World initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) program organized conferences in South Africa and Uganda with the help of local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) offices in Pretoria, RSA and Nairobi, Kenya. The conferences were titled "Diversifying the African Food Basket with U.S. Products."
Representatives from the American Peanut Council, U.S. Dry Bean Council, U.S. Dry Pea & Lentil Council and the U.S. Potato Board joined ASA/WISHH in exploring local business and marketing opportunities. USDA’s Global Broad-based Initiative, under the Office of Trade Promotions at FAS, funded the events. Approximately 75 people attended each one-day conference in the respective regions.
Conference agendas included local experts who discussed the nutrition status of local populations and the current trade and business environment. The cooperators each made presentations about their products, which were incorporated into snacks at breaks and the lunch that was offered after each conference.
"This was the best one yet," said Ross Kreamer, USDA’s Agricultural Minister-Counselor for Southern Africa.
Ugandan conference participants eagerly listen to the U.S. Agency for International Development’s presentation on public/private partnership opportunities. (WISHH photos)
WISHH Executive Director Jim Hershey (right) discusses opportunities with U.S. food and ingredient suppliers with attendees of the conference.
