The President and C-E-O of A.G.T. Foods says Asia will have an insatiable demand for proteins in the future.

Murad Al-Katib calls India the next frontier for vegetable protein.

Al-Katib told delegates at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region Summit in Saskatoon protein is today’s energy noting the agriculture consumer in ten years will be completely different than today.

He also feels Asia offers niche markets on a large scale explaining that supplying products for specialty items in small regions with large populations can be lucrative.

Conference delegates were also told the agriculture industry needs to attract bright employees who can replace traditional farmers who are retiring.

The Sr. Vice President of Royal Bank Canada warns without this type of recruitment the industry will face a demographic crisis.

John Stackhouse described the agriculture worker of the future as farmer four-point-oh who has data skills and the ability to work with cognitive technology.

Stackhouse feels the most important skills will be critical thinking and being able to communicate the new technological demands of the industry on a one-to-one basis with stakeholders and customers.

The Prairie Region Vice President of the Asia Pacific Foundation told delegates it’s a fast-moving population rich region that is more than just China.

Victor Thomas says China and India will be the world’s top two markets in the next 30 years with Indonesia ranked fourth.