Agricultural research plan is unveiled by agInnovation leaders
Leaders from agInnovation, a network of land-grant universities, announced a 10-year Research Roadmap aimed at addressing key challenges in agriculture.
The plan was developed by agricultural experiment station directors from across agInnovation’s regions and members of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU). The roadmap focuses on climate solutions, water resiliency and sustainable agriculture systems.
George Smith, director of Michigan State University AgBioResearch and chair of agInnovation, highlighted the critical role of university-led research, noting its return on investment. “We’ve constructed the 10-Year Research Roadmap around the themes of climate solutions, water resiliency and sustainable agriculture systems,” Smith said. He emphasized the need for federal investment to maintain U.S. leadership in agricultural innovation.
The roadmap proposes increasing research funding to 1% of the federal research and development budget, equating to $1.9 billion annually. According to agInnovation, university research generates $20 in economic activity for every $1 invested.
The plan aims to secure greater federal resources for agricultural research, positioning the U.S. to compete globally in food security and innovation.
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