The AGree policy initiative called for greater funding for the U.S. agricultural and food research system, coupled with an updated list of priorities for publicly funded research. The global population is forecast to grow by 2 billion people by 2050, at the same time that climate change challenges the productive capacity of agriculture. Higher yields are essential because there will be little or no additional land available for cultivation. “A more sharply focused agricultural research system will be critical to overcome these challenges,” says AGree, which looks for consensus in the fractious food system.
For funding, AGree suggests that agencies beyond the USDA, such as the departments of Health and Energy, should allocate a larger share of funding to food and agriculture issues. Meanwhile, the USDA should direct funding to high priority areas “and away from areas addressed by the private sector or with less potential to impact the public good.”
“Public research efforts must emphasize both basic, fundamental science and applied research, focusing on social, environmental, and economic challenges that are not easily monetized and have the potential to substantially impact the public good,” said AGree. The group also encouraged broader access to data and findings from publicly funded research as a way to speed innovation. It also suggested integration of research, education and extension activities at the university level as a way to disseminate information. “Connectivity among researchers, extension agents, producers, and others must be encouraged to frame research priorities and target investments toward critical challenges.”
The AGree report, “Research and innovation: Strengthening agricultural research,” is available here.
Meanwhile, the USDA said its researchers have identified ways to remove 98 percent of allergens from peanuts without affecting the flavor, a speedier way to pasteurize shell eggs and a new test for determining the amount of nitrogen available to plants in the soil. The developments were among the highlights from the USDA’s annual report on technology transfer.