The ASA’s WISHH program led a panel focused on building opportunities for trade in new markets through innovations at this year’s Commodity Classic in Denver. During the panel, attendees had the chance to learn how U.S. farmers support innovative programs to develop and expand markets around the world. United Soybean Board past chair Meagan Kaiser moderated the panel which included WISHH Committee Chair Morey Hill and WISHH committee member Scott Gaffner. The U.S. Soybean Export Council, the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council and the U.S. Meat Export Federation joined to share how these organizations collaborate. Hill explained how WISHH works with strategic partners to foster innovations to meet the nutritional needs of 8 billion consumers worldwide. He also touched on WISHH’s recent trade mission to Guatemala.
“We work with innovators to build local capacity and skills as well as demand so the whole value chain can use soy,” said Hill. “For example, we were just in Guatemala where we met with companies that are buying U.S. Soy to make nutritious foods that are sold throughout Central America as well as in schools and other institutions.”
Hill also explained WISHH’s USB-supported Training Program for Young Professionals in Ghana and Nigeria as an example of how WISHH innovates in these countries to develop long-term local capacity as well as the understanding needed for adoption of soy in feeds.
WISHH currently works in 29 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Hill noted that the organization celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.