Spurring Innovation in Food and Agriculture A Review of the USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Program (2014) / Chapter Skim
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1 Introduction
1 Introduction
Pages 17-28
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From page 17... ...
In other words, applied research operates within the framework of knowledge provided by fundamental research, and extension helps to transform the products of research -- both fundamental and applied -- to improve agricultural production, farm income, environment, health, and the quality of life of consumers and producers. Skilled and creative researchers, educators, and extension specialists are necessary to carry out those functions and to address challenges faced by the agricultural and food sectors.
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The committee conducted its assessment of the AFRI program based on members' expertise and on information collected from multiple sources. The extensive literature on the role of research and competitive grants 1 he AFRI program is the flagship competitive grants program within USDA, but USDA T also has other competitive grants programs, such as the Small Business Innovation Research Program and the Specialty Crop Research Initiative.
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• Examine indications of whether AFRI is achieving its stated goals and outcomes. Include in these considerations how well AFRI facilitates the integration of research, extension, and education; supports food production efforts; balances fundamental and applied investments; increases foundational knowledge while facilitating translational research; and contributes to preparing the future scientific workforce.
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The continued demand for a robust and broad knowledge base in the agricultural and food sectors is driven by unprecedented worldwide demographic changes, steadily increasing worldwide aspirations for improved quality of life, contemporary and future threats that arise from naturalresource scarcity (such as threats created by limitations of land and water availability, the use of nonrenewable energy resources, and climate change)
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From page 21... ...
Pathways to plant protection include exploring natural variations found in crop germplasm and wild relatives; monitoring the emergence of pests, diseases, and weeds that are resistant to present crop-management practices; using genetics and genomics methods to identify resistance traits in crops; and using conventional crop breeding and modern biotechnological approaches to develop new resistant varieties (Enserink et al., 2013)
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From page 22... ...
food supply is also complicated by the increase in food imports. Scientific studies of food safety generally call for better understanding of the ecology, toxicology, epidemiology, and impact of foodborne diseases; for improved pathways and protocols for reducing or preventing food contamination as products make their way from farm to table; and for improvement in the ability to detect contamination when it occurs.
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. Challenges for food and agricultural research, education, and extension programs include how best to support dietary guidelines through agricultural production research and an improved understanding of nutrient physiology and consumer behaviors related to diet and health.
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One summary statement captures the situation for rural development, which still applies today: "Understanding the roles of social and human capital, entrepreneurism, and leadership in building successful rural communities constitutes a basic social science frontier" (NRC, 2003, p.
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took a forceful position for building capacity. To meet the need for a diverse and competent scientific workforce on agricultural and food issues, PCAST recommended an expansion of "a competitively awarded program for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers at a level of $180 million per year for at least 5 years." Although the PCAST goal has not been attained, a critical theme that echoes throughout those reports is that a robust workforce is essential if the United States is to face predictable and unpredictable challenges and opportunities in the food and agricultural sectors, especially given the aging population of U.S.
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Extension programs currently extend knowledge about agriculture, food safety, consumer economics, financial literacy, nutrition and health, environmental quality, natural-resource management and sustainability, and climate variability through a network that has suffered funding decreases in the last 20 years (APLU, 2010)
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2000. National Research Initiative: A Vital Grants Pro gram in Food, Fiber, and Natural Resources Research.
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2013. Public Food and Agricultural Research in the United States: The Rise and Decline of Public Investments, and Policies for Renewal.
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