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Idaho seed industry tells Senate Agriculture Committee it accounts for $800 million statewide
Summary
Industry representatives told the Senate Agriculture Committee that Idaho is a global seed-production region, provided new economic-impact figures, and outlined threats including loss of farmland, pesticide label cancellations, water uncertainty and an aging farmer population.
At a meeting of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Roger Batt, executive director of the Idaho Eastern Oregon Seed Association, told committee members that the state’s seed industry generates about $800 million in direct economic activity and roughly $1.5 billion when multipliers are included.
The industry’s economic weight and its contribution to food security make Idaho “one of six major global seed production regions,” Batt said, noting large production in the Treasure Valley, Magic Valley and Eastern Idaho. He told senators Idaho produces about 65% of the world’s sweet corn seed from Canyon County and is the U.S. leader in carrot, onion, dry bean and popcorn seed production.
Batt said the association’s internal 16-month study found $800 million in statewide economic impact, with approximately $500 million in Southwest Idaho (Treasure…
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