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Pathways to Global Partnerships. Eric Abbott, Iowa State University Neonila Martyniuk, Agro-Soyuz. Focus. Small to medium-size businesses Globalization information to increase trade and new opportunities. Partners. Extension Agro-Soyuz A joint stock private Ukrainian company ACE
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Pathways to Global Partnerships Eric Abbott, Iowa State University Neonila Martyniuk, Agro-Soyuz
Focus • Small to medium-size businesses • Globalization information to increase trade and new opportunities
Partners • Extension • Agro-Soyuz • A joint stock private Ukrainian company • ACE • Agricultural Communicators in Education
Information Available • Links, data, country information, export/import rules, tariffs and trade agreements • FASonline Agricultural Exporter Assistance website • Farm Bureau websites • State economic development sites
Information Needed • Concept publications identifying promising technologies, methods, and products • Niche-based information on how to connect a particular company desiring to export to a company that wants to import
Private Sector Partner • Agro-Soyuz • Team to find relevant technologies • Business network of 96 sites to distribute technologies and products • Training/demonstration center providing hands-on farmer opportunities • Co-production capabilities
Case Study Examples • Grain bins and drying equipment • Harrows • Hoop structures • Milking equipment • Anaerobic digesters
Case Study Example: Grain Bins • More than $2 million in grain bins imported from MFS York Stormor of Grand Island, Nebraska • Need: Ukraine central government stopped buying grain, and market prices bottomed at harvest time
Case Study Example: Grain Bins • Solution: U.S. Extension publications discuss benefits of grain bins to preserve crop and enhance marketing opportunities • Contact with Canadian that led to direct talks with MFS York Stormor and detailed discussions, including possible co-production. But Ukraine couldn’t produce needed zinc outer coating.
Case Study Example: Grain Bins • Result: direct export sale to Agro-Soyuz • First attempts to assemble imported bins were not successful. This led to idea of having export firms personally visit Ukraine and provide training. It also led to idea of an on-site hands-on demonstration center. Now, 15,000 farmers have been trained
Opportunities for Extension • Match extension technology recommendations and best management practice materials with opportunities for export. Perhaps collect and synthesize specialist materials and reshape as an export promotion device.
Opportunities for Extension • Serve as “brokers” linking small business technology producers, farmers and others to specific individuals, companies or organizations in other countries. This “niche” development function is vital to export success. • Example of one method: The SABIT program
The Third Partner: ACE • Assistance in production and distribution of specialist concept materials • Working through ACE’s affiliate organizations in other countries • Writing/distribution of success stories • Use of ACE Website to exchange or showcase materials