Mississippi runs on agriculture. That industry puts nearly one in five of us to work – on livestock or row crop farms, in timber forests, or at businesses that support them. Altogether, this productivity generates over $8 billion in annual economic activity for the state. Each of our 82 counties benefits as a host of workers – farmers, truck drivers, researchers, grocers, renderers, and restaurateurs – make the most of Mississippi’s natural resources.

Celebrating Mississippi’s Catfish Industry

One of the sectors where we lead is catfish farming. Every year, I introduce and pass a U.S. Senate resolution that sets aside August as “National Catfish Month.” This is an opportunity to recognize the local and national impact of this field. Since the 1980s, we have produced more catfish than any other state. Over half of America’s stock comes from a constellation of some 200 farms from the Delta to east Mississippi.

Protecting Mississippi Seafood

The catfish industry, together with Gulf Coast shrimp, has blessed our state with thousands of jobs. It has also provided the rest of the country with delicious food that meets high safety standards. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for other producers around the world.

Recently, the Biden administration considered easing the United States’ trade restrictions on Vietnam, a country whose catfish and shrimp exports do not undergo rigorous food safety inspections. That nation routinely tries to dump unhealthy seafood into American markets, often at prices far lower than those charged for our domestic, quality products.

In response, I joined a group of senators in an effort to dissuade the administration from relaxing that trade agreement. Doing so would have made it more difficult to keep cheap, substandard items off American shelves – putting consumers in danger and farmers at a disadvantage. I am glad that the administration ultimately agreed with us. It retained existing trade regulations, which keep the playing field level for Mississippi farmers.

Promoting Peace Through Agriculture

Safety and market competition are not the only reasons the United States must keep a close eye on global agriculture activity. We also monitor it because food supply is crucial to peace around the world. Some governments use it as a tool to control other countries. The Chinese Communist Party has been providing food to some African nations, but their intentions have not been benevolent. They have worked to drive those countries into debt, forcing them to submit to Chinese influence. Other nations cause industry disruption through war. For example, Russia sent grain prices through the roof when it invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Mississippi – with our agriculture, defense, and business assets – is uniquely suited to help address these challenges. I recently attended a conference organized by experts at Mississippi State University, who brought together industry leaders and military officials to study the role of agriculture in global conflict. We discussed how global food scarcity can lead to war and how abundance can facilitate peace. When a country’s citizens are hungry, their leaders are more susceptible to foreign pressure, which can create conditions that lead to violence.

That conference highlighted another remarkable effect of Mississippi’s agriculture industry. It is not just a story of growth for our state. It is also a part of the way the United States cultivates peace by bringing prosperity to the world.