KATHMANDU, MAY 9

Progressive leaders from across South Asia and US Soy farmers gathered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for the Sustainsummit conference this week, hosted by the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC). Under the theme of "Now more than ever," the conference was a call to action to catalyze South Asians to integrate sustainability into their business with a focus on responsible sourcing, USSEC states in its press release.

Quoting PwC's Voice of Consumer survey, USSEC said customers are willing to pay 9.7 per cent more for sustainable or sustainably sourced goods. This market shift proves that sustainability is here to stay, and corporations that adapt will increase market share, mitigate risks and continue to build brand preference.

While sustainability has recently become a trend, US Soy farmers have been implementing sustainable practices for decades. Methods such as precision agriculture, crop rotation, and water management have decreased soil erosion and improved soil quality, according to USSEC.

US Soybean farmer and Director at the United Soybean Board Joey Boudreaux said: The actions that we take today will shape the world of tomorrow. When customers choose U.S. Soy, they recognize the value that sustainably grown soy from our farms brings to their table.

Key themes that emerged from the conference were the importance of circular food systems, sustainability, regenerative agriculture, and global trade, USSEC states. Speakers at the event also included Stan Born, Director, American Soybean Association; Kevin Roepke, Regional Director - SAASSA, USSEC; Rich Kottmeyer, Managing Director and Practice Leader – Food, Agriculture and Beverage, Pivot; Shailesh Kumar, Head of Procurement, Britannia Industries Ltd; Maha Qasim, Founder, Zero Point Fonders; Moushumi Shrestha, Director, Shreenagat Agro Group and Zaffar Jeevunjee, Managing Director, Switz Lanka.