ISU Provost Rollin Richmond accompanied Gov. Tom Vilsack on a trip to Africa, resulting in trade opportunities for the state of Iowa and Iowa State.

They went to South Africa and Nigeria Aug. 25-31 for Vilsack’s Biotechnology Partnership, a nonpartisan organization of 27 governors headed by Vilsack. The goal is to increase awareness of the benefits of agricultural biotechnology, Richmond said.

The governor is a supporter of the Iowa State’s Plant Sciences Institute, Richmond said, which connected Iowa State to the governors’ Biotechnology Partnership, headed by Vilsack.

Iowa State has two academic connections with Nigeria, Richmond said. Walter Ollor, a Nigerian from Rivers State University of Science and Technology, is a visiting faculty member. The Akwa Ibom State Committee, made of Nigerian academics and government officials from Rivers State University, visited Iowa State in June 2001 to seek advice on setting up a new institution to be funded by revenues from oil production, he said. Because of these connections, Richmond went on the trip.

Richmond and Vilsack met with the deputy president of South Africa, the president of Nigeria and several government ministers.

“All were interested in what we had to offer and eager to develop relationships,” Richmond said.

Vilsack’s press secretary, Joe Shannahan, said Richmond and Vilsack were informed that South Africa has a shortage of corn and Nigeria has a shortage of soybeans.

“[South Africa and Nigeria] are a huge opportunity for Iowa farmers to provide and expand trade,” Shannahan said.

Africa soon will become a large trade market because of the countries’ growing populations, Richmond said. Some countries, such as South Africa, are well developed and are in a position for trade for biotechnology products and other agricultural crops, he said.

“If we can develop personal connections there early in the process,” Richmond said, “we will position Iowa as a strong trading partner.”

The success of Richmond and Vilsack’s mission could mean good news for Iowa State and the Plant Sciences Institute.

“ISU will work with the economic development officials in the state to help expand Iowa’s trade with Africa,” Richmond said.

“Any diversification of agricultural markets for Iowa is likely to improve the state’s economic outlook.”