The American Soybean Association’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health Program sponsored the attendance of multiple African strategic partners at the Eastern Africa Regional Aquaculture Conference. WISHH partners from Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, and Tanzania are attending the conference considering the rapid advancement of aquaculture on the eastern part of the continent and its importance to African food systems. As aquaculture advancing in Africa, so can a greater demand for U.S. soy for fish feed, a key part of WISHH’s strategy on the continent.
WISHH sponsored the event with support from the United Soybean Board. USB supports WISHH’s work building strong partnerships in sub-Saharan Africa that strengthens ties with U.S. soy and explores possible expansion in the region.
EARAC brings together large-scale producers and smallholder farmers centered on discussions of access to quality feed, seed, goods, services, technology, research, and capital. Several WISHH partners, like Aqua Farms founder and executive director Jerry Mang’ena, are attending the conference to boost business connections. Mang’ena’s farm produces roughly 10% of Tanzania’s fingerling population. He gave a nod to WISHH for connecting fish farmers on both sides of the continent, leveraging relationships at conferences like EARAC and with peer-to-peer sharing. For example, Ghanian and Tanzanian strategic partners host entrepreneurs for training programs led by WISHH on their respective farms. They also gain knowledge and valuable connections by attending these conferences together.
This year’s EARAC theme is “Promoting Aquaculture Investment in East Africa,” which includes conversations on healthy, high-quality feed for fish. Many of WISHH’s attendees also extol the work WISHH does to support their farms across Africa. Not only will they gain important insights into the aquaculture industry such as the latest research and better business skills, but this also means more visibility for U.S. soy to more potential strategic partners.
WISHH leveraged USDA Foreign Market Development funds to bring the trade team members to Tanzania.