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Sustainable Ag Coalition urges Congress for more research dollars
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is urging Congress to increase research funding in the next Farm Bill.
Coalition policy specialist Kanika Gandhi says failure to invest in USDA Research and Development programs will result in America falling behind the rest of the world.
“Funding for things like farmer-ready cultivars, seed mechanisms to ensure farmers have the best seeds that are adapted to their areas. Making sure the needs of smaller but equally important farmers and niche markets such as organic, are being met through research.”
The Coalition recently joined more than 60 other organizations and educational institutions in delivering a document to legislators with priority recommendations.
Gandhi tells Brownfield the unified support for more research dollars should pay dividends as Farm Bill negotiations ramp up.
“Across Farm Bill hearings, across every title, we’ve been hearing this element or that element of research needs to be enhanced. So we’re seeing that research is becoming more and more of a priority because honestly it does effect every step of the process in terms of our food system.”
Specifically, the Coalition is asking Congress to double total USDA food and agricultural research by the end of the next five-year Farm Bill cycle, from $3 billion annually to $6 billion a year by 2023.
Good job being done. Do hope that congress provide funds required by coalition for this very important reseach. Good luck.