The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) recently hosted a delegation of Indian food and beverage industry leaders to explore the U.S. agricultural sector, highlighting the potential of expanding market access for American produce in India. During the tour, which included visits to farms, ethanol plants, and research facilities, the delegation focused on the use of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in animal feed, a byproduct of ethanol production rich in protein and fiber.
Led by USGC regional director for South Asia, Reece Cannady, and Senior Ethanol Advisor Sonjoy Mohanty, the tour began on July 22 at the Northern Crops Institute in Fargo, ND. The delegation received an introduction to regional crop production and processing into ethanol and DDGS. The following days included visits to a local farm to observe sustainable agricultural practices, an ethanol production facility, and a fuel distribution company to understand ethanol blending and usage in gasoline.
The visit continued in Minneapolis, MN, where the group met with representatives from a local farming cooperative and concluded with a comprehensive tour at the University of Minnesota. Here, they engaged with academic experts on the nutritional benefits of DDGS in animal diets and toured a grain elevator, feed mill, and dairy operation to see the practical application of U.S. crops in livestock feeding.
Cannady emphasized the diversity of the group, which included animal feed producers, brewers, and distillers, all keen on improving efficiency and profitability through U.S. agricultural products. "U.S. DDGS improve livestock health and create higher-value products, and I’m excited to help develop a market for corn and corn co-products in India as it continues its rapid economic growth," said Cannady.
This initiative is part of the USGC's efforts to enhance U.S. agricultural exports by tapping into emerging markets like India, which holds significant growth potential for U.S. farmers and producers.
