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Nov 20, 2024
USB Executive Committee member Philip Good and his son, Christian, discuss their near-harvest-ready soybeans and quality grain management with WISHH’s trade team of Nigerian aquaculture feed manufacturers.
As the world becomes more interconnected and is confronted with ever-changing technology, ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health program is meeting the challenge to advance trade for U.S. soy. WISHH, which works with 29 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Asia, uses innovative technology and knowledge transfer to strengthen trade markets with its partners.
In Asia and Africa, the aquaculture industry continues to offer a key market for protein-rich soy. This is especially true in countries like Cambodia, where fish is the primary source of food. Through the support of the soy checkoff, WISHH has introduced floating in-pond raceway systems, promoted advanced feed and food safety, quality measures and more.
WISHH brings innovation to its partners, such as feed manufacturers like Adebayo Abdulfatai Olanlege, a director at Ace Farms and Feed Mill in Nigeria. Through technical trainings, the company shares knowledge from WISHH, including the value of soy in floating fish feeds, to hundreds of Nigerian fish farmers. Olanlege joined WISHH’s August-September trade team to the United States, which included a visit to USB Executive Committee member Philip Good’s soybean and fish farm.
“The farm visit demonstrated technology and the value of attracting the younger generation to agriculture for sustainability,” said Olanlege, who also noted the quality of U.S. soy due to the use of innovation in grain storage and more.
In addition to introducing new technologies, WISHH is focused on broadening the knowledge base of its international partners. Familiar trade teams bring business leaders from three continents to the United States to learn about the latest innovations for soy food and feed applications. For instance, WISHH hosted business leaders from Nicaragua, El Salvador and Sri Lanka at the IFT First Conference in Chicago. This annual event showcases the latest food innovation technology and offers attendees the chance to learn about cutting-edge advancements in soy-based food production. Company representatives leave events like these with an increased understanding of how U.S. soy can be a boon for their businesses.
“The information and nutritional training from WISHH have been invaluable for us. It has been a gamechanger,” said Jose Saban, a representative of Concadol, a Central American food distributor. Saban joined another WISHH trade trip to the Northern Crops Institute, and his company continues to value its partnership with WISHH.
Across the globe, soybean growers also support educational programs in the Asian and African markets. In Cambodia, WISHH’s Commercialization of Aquaculture for Sustainable Trade (CAST) project also emphasizes technical training for young leaders. CAST is helping advise students at the Royal University of Agriculture’s Faculty of Fishery on best aquaculture practices. The students use this knowledge to support farmers across the country.
Similarly, WISHH grower leaders visited Ghana earlier this year to honor the latest graduates of its USB-sponsored Training Program for Young Professionals. While the program is in its third generation, a similar course is underway in Nigeria, where young leaders in the aquaculture industry are gaining firsthand experience in modern fish farming practices. These interns, educated by WISHH strategic partners and technical advisers, are poised to become future leaders in the aquaculture sector and potentially key trade partners for U.S. soy. Many will go on to run their own fish farms, earn leadership positions at other operations and even work in national and local governments.
The future of trade is an exciting but challenging one. Through its understanding and sharing of technology and knowledge with its partners, WISHH positions U.S. soy to meet that challenge head on.
