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Governor Highlights Missouri’s Global Agtech Leadership in Visit to United Kingdom

  • March 30, 2022

Missouri Governor Mike Parson recently visited the United Kingdom, where he took time to highlight Missouri’s global agtech leadership, and partnership with Agri-TechE, a UK-based private sector agtech organization.

“As Missouri’s Governor, I look forward to the opportunity to strengthen relationships with business partners in the United Kingdom,” Governor Parson said. “For decades, Missouri and the UK have enjoyed a unique connection that is both culturally and economically significant. Given the importance of international trade, we’re grateful for this chance to promote Missouri agriculture and technology, among other strengths that make the Show-Me State an ideal business location.”

Annually, agriculture is a $94 billion industry in Missouri and nearly 50 per cent of US crop and livestock production is located within 500 miles of the state. This makes Missouri a good launching point for UK companies that are looking to enter, and engage with, the U.S. market.

“We were delighted to welcome Governor Parson and the Missouri delegation for one of the first U.S. state-level visits to the UK this year,” said Alan Gogbashian, British Consul General to the Midwest based in Chicago. “As Missouri’s exports to the UK top $1.4 billion, agri-tech represents a rich vein of innovation for both our economies. And Agri-TechE sits at the very centre of our shared ambitions for further growth.”

Agri-TechE took part in a successful mission to the Missouri agri-food ecosystem in March 2020, just before the pandemic. This followed a 2019 agtech mission from Missouri to the UK. Since that time, Agri-TechE and numerous Missouri companies and organizations have been working together to advance agtech into the future and build strong connections between the two ecosystems.

“Although the pandemic has accelerated the acceptance of many aspects of digital agriculture, farming is still about people and the real world,” said Dr Belinda Clarke, Director of Agri-TechE. “The mission with Missouri has been invaluable in building business relationships and creating wider understanding of mutual opportunities and we are delighted to progress this with the Governor.”

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