The ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health program took the stage at the 2025 African Food Systems Forum in Senegal this week. WISHH joined a high-level paned, Poultry and Livestock Value Chain Opportunities for Africa, organized by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. The session convened U.S. state leaders, the U.S. Dairy Export Council, and key African livestock stakeholders alongside WISHH to highlight poultry and livestock advancements on the continent.
The discussion focused on advancing Africa’s livestock sector through innovative approaches such as feed efficiency, advanced genetics, and improved poultry and dairy production. WISHH Executive Director Gena Perry highlighted WISHH’s work advancing Africa’s aquaculture sector that includes training your people and advancing the use of high-quality soy for feed. Panelists also emphasized the importance of critical growth enablers, including improved access to credit and stronger market connections that drive long-term sustainability.
Perry was joined on the stage by NASDA President and Arkansas Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward, President and CEO, U.S. Dairy Export Council Krysta Harden, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Secretary Anson Tebbetts, International Livestock Research Institute Deputy Director General, Siboniso Moyo, Ph.D., and Claude Demba Diop, President of the National Feed Millers Association of Senegal.
Perry’s participation in the conference was supported by the United Soybean Board. USB’s partnership with WISHH includes projects that support building the next generation of aquaculture specialists (and future soy trade partners) in sub-Saharan Africa, provide research to increase the amount of soy in foods, and lead discussions with global food security thought leaders to build even greater partnerships.