The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an organization dedicated to reducing poverty worldwide. Ambassador John Danilovich, CEO of MCC, says a large part of the MCC mission lies in Africa. He says the MCC is partnered with 17 countries around the globe in an effort to reduce poverty through sustainable economic growth. Ten of those countries are in sub-Sahara Africa, drawing …
Appaloosa On The Move
This week’s ZimmCast is a little late I know but I wanted to wait until I got to Jackson, MS and the National Appaloosa Show so we could learn about how they’ve handled a major move to a new city with a show that’s been held in another location for a long time. So this week you can hear Appaloosa …
A New Vision for Africa
Changing the African vision from one of short-term pay-offs to that of long-term success was one of the key issues for panelists at the “Education and Knowledge Building in Animal Agriculture” breakout session. The session was one of fifteen being offered at the 2008 U.S. Africa Agribusiness Forum. The workshop, sponsored by Novus International, featured a panel of experts that …
Nigeria an Emerging Market for Agriculture
There is money to be made in Nigeria. Dr. Isa Yugada, Executive Governor of the Bauchi State in Nigeria assured every potential investor of that at the 2008 U.S. Africa Agribusiness Forum. Isa highlighted Nigeria’s natural habitat for a diverse selection of crops including tomatoes, sorghum, maize, millet, rice, cassava, beans and more. He added that Nigeria possesses poultry, livestock, …
Providing Africa with a Platform of Exchange
Stock exchanges provide a platform. A platform that Chris Sturgess, assistant general manager of the Agricultural Products Division of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, says helps with price discovery and price risk management. He says Africa needs such platforms. At the same time though, he stresses that stock exchanges do not set prices. Chris presented at the opening session of the …
West African Exchange Highlights Needs for a Developing Ag Industry
Mbaye Diop Sarr represents the West African business sector as the general administrator for the West Africa Commodity Exchange. For Mbaye, direct market access for producers is critical for the development of African agribusiness. He says Africa needs to drive competitiveness to fulfill industrial needs. He adds that Africa needs to embrace commercial partnerships among the various countries within the …
Facing Africa’s Problems in order to Develop Agribusiness Success
There are a lot of issues that need to be addressed in African agribusiness and Ian Goggin, CEO of the Agricultural Commodity Exchange for Africa, wasn’t afraid to highlight each and every one. Among the negatives in the African agribusiness sector Ian identified during the 2008 U.S. Africa Agribusiness Forum: Very little reliable data on trade flows Lack of competition …
Corporate Council on Africa Calls for American Investment and Exchange
Agriculture is an industry in Africa that’s poised to flourish… if the U.S. would simply get involved. That’s what the Corporate Council on Africa believes and that’s why it’s hosting the 2008 U.S. Africa Agribusiness Forum in partnership with the World Trade Center Illinois. CCA President and CEO Stephen Hayes says his organization has been the voice for the vision …
Courting Commerce between Africa and the U.S.
People from all walks of life, as World Trade Center Illinois Agribusiness Director Chuck Hartke puts it, are gathering in a first-of-its-kind forum in Chicago this week in an effort to grow agricultural exchange and commerce between the U.S. and Africa. Chuck says the 300 participants of the 2008 U.S. Africa Agribusiness Forum have come together to explore how America …
Farm Foundation Conference Wrap
Here’s my wrap up post from the Farm Foundation Transition To A Bio Economy conference. I learned a lot from the presentations here and hope the interviews have helped you too. I spoke with board member, Cornelius Gallagher, who helped summarize the event. He says the conference brought together world class leaders who were able to listen to some fantastic …