The Central Valley CA, Tomorrow’s Ag Epicenter of our Planet?

World Ag Expo Edition 2020. An Agricultural Stage for Global Future Driven Answers: The World Ag Expo in California.

Rik Raats, @ the International Center of the Tulare Ag Expo — For the ones who are not familiar with the worldwide agricultural industry yearly high, the World Ag Expo is the largest annual outdoor agriculturalexposition. The 2020 53rd edition under the California sun counted 1,442 exhibitors, representing 46 States and 56 countries and was attended by 106,357 people. As by tradition it was held at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, California, in the United States, from Feb 11 through Feb 13. It has officially been designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce as an affiliate of the Foreign Buyer Program, which encourages export of American made goods. 

Reflecting Challenges

The Expo clearly reflects the fact that the industry is striving to answer the challenges of today and -even more important- those of tomorrow. Our globe is evolving fast with changing human diets and the most effective way to use the planet’s shrinking available ag land. The overall demand for a higher quality -balanced and healthy- food product on the consumer’s plate is no longer only the extra-margin-strive in the delicacy and organic niches, also in commodity markets the overall quality is subject to more sceptic and critical demand on the market. 

Answering the Demanding and Varied Plates on Today’s Tables.

At the expo there was an increased representation of innovative products and services dedicated to improving the quality of ag production. Quality, responsible and durable ag production is for sure no longer slow production; efficiency and yield are determining factors that may prove the solid fast paced route that has been chosen towards the future. Also the ongoing conversion of agricultural operations adapting to current and future evolutions. The wide array of specialties in guidance and operational assistance offered by specialized ag consultancy firms is a clear illustration of how the Ag market’s intelligence forces are being strengthened. The US governmental organizations’ efforts are proactive and reflect a policy that’s quite aligned with the market as such. 

Welcoming the World: The Inspiring Global Spirit.

This edition of the World Expo was a highly inspiring international experience. The International Business center was a temp second home for the many international visitors, representatives and guests. The International Trade Symposium, covered a wide variety of relevant aspects in the current markets of change. Beyond the content, the facilities and the scheduled activities, was the overall international future driven spirit. Also the governmental organizations like the U.S. Department of Commerce, Regional Business Services Center, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and others including the local representation, contributed actively to encourage, facilitate and assist International business relations. It was wonderful to experience how ag people spread around the planet understand that the answers to current challenges of the industry are found in thinking ahead; wide open beyond borders and boundaries, both scientific as geographic.

The Ag industry and its answers towards the future of a changing world is becoming an industry with major chances and opportunities for current and future generations, and the World Ag Expo offers a highly promising international platform. Will the Central Valley become globally for Ag what the Bay Area has become for Tech? Future may tell; but for sure at the international level we could experience that the spirit and its answers for tomorrow are planted and growing in the California Central Valley. Yes, the 2020 edition of the World Ag Expo was an enriching experience. 

The MOOOwesome Way to Make the World Agree.  

And… in case I wasn’t clear enough on most promising qualities; there’s no reason to be too modest in the valley; Rosa Brothers Milk Company (Tulare, CA) provided the broad assortment of dairy products next to the coffee table at the International Center and… people from all around the planet uttered the most praising universal sounds! Indeed, Milk from the valley is a MOOOwesome way to make the world agree.