August 29, 2003

North Africans Come To NCI for Feed Safety Training

Fargo, ND, USA -- Ten scientists from Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria are winding up their week at the Northern Crops Institute (NCI) where they studied feed microscopy. Feed microscopy is a scientific method that uses visual imaging (a microscope) to determine the quality and content of ingredients and finished food and feed products.

North Africa is an area of the world that is evolving into a vibrant economy. They have learned that in order to trade worldwide, their products must meet safety specifications of other countries. In order to do this, they need to expand their food safety programs. The American Soybean Association (ASA) has taken a lead in this arena.

“Microscopy is a time-tested scientific technique that continues to be applicable today,” said Dr. Kim Koch, NCI Feed Production Manager and instructor in the course. “The skills these people learn here, hopefully, will enhance their job performance and allow them to train others.”

Regional soybean producers provide funding for these types of educational experiences through check-off funding. “I think the American Soybean Association (ASA) is being very progressive in funding this kind of program,” Koch said. “This program highlights the importance of quality. One thing we have always stressed about U.S. products is their high quality. This program goes a long way to help us prove that. It gives us potential access to markets that others may not enjoy,” Koch concluded.

Other instructors in the course are: Beth Anne Sturgeon-Woody, Office of the Indiana State Chemist, and Patricia Ramsey, California Department of Agriculture (retired). Mike Martin, ASA Brussels, and Khalid Benabdeljelil, ASA Morocco, escorted the team.

Northern Crops Institute supports regional agriculture and value-added processing by conducting educational and technical programs that expand and maintain domestic and international markets for northern-grown crops.