Jul 17, 2009
Washington, DC – As population growth, coupled with mankind’s ability to afford a better diet increase pressure on food production, it is essential that U.S. agriculture, which supplies a significant portion of the world’s food needs, increase crop yields to meet urgent demand. With limited land available for expanded agricultural production, investment in agriculture science and technology is crucial to meet the expected global demand for food, fiber and fuel. CropLife America (CLA) has begun a survey, in cooperation with the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA), to evaluate private industry research and development initiatives to help understand which areas are supported by their industry and account for research needs areas where investment should be expanded. However, it is widely recognized that public funding for similar agriculture research by governments is inadequate.
Although proposed U.S. federal funding for science-based initiatives has increased for 2010, little of the proposed increases are directed to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for agricultural science research. This conclusion is according to The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST). According to the crop protection consultancy Phillips-McDougal, the level of research and development expenditure by the fifteen leading companies in the global plant sciences sector has increased at an annual rate in recent years of 5.4 percent, The Phillips-McDougal report notes that research and development investment by these companies has expanded from more than $3 billion in 2000 to more than $5 billion in 2008. While these industry contributions to new product and technology development is significant, the lack of public funding toward these efforts leaves the U.S. at a distinct competitive disadvantage in solving agriculture related challenges toward advancing food, fiber and fuel necessary to nourish, clothe and sustain a growing world population.
“New discoveries, the kind that have made U.S. agriculture one of the most productive and advanced in the world, can only be made with data resulting from research and development,” said Jay Vroom, CEO and president of CLA. “It is only through the vested interest and contribution of both the public and private sector that we can solve the unique challenges facing modern agriculture and ensure abundant and sustainable food, clothing, and renewable energy for future generations.”
U.S. Office of Management and Budget figures detailing the President’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2010, show federal funding for agriculture down more than six percent from the previous year while other areas saw increases from one to more than ten percent. Institutions like the National Science Foundation, the Energy Department and National Institutes of Health were awarded funds of $3 billion, $2 billion and $10 billion respectively for new research. Given recent calls by Nobel laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug, widely acknowledged as the Father of the original Green Revolution, for a second, more extensive, rebellion against world hunger, agricultural investment is more important than ever.
“We cannot take agriculture or the research that has allowed us to provide millions upon millions of tons of food and fiber for granted,” continued Vroom. “It’s essential that we continue to advance and invest in farming methods and technologies to meet the unique challenges faced by agriculture and those who rely on it.”
