Importance of ag research stressed at hearings

Washington Ag Today August 1, 2011 A U.S. House Agriculture Subcommittee held a hearing last week on USDA agricultural research. The next farm bill may have less money for research, however Dr. Laurian Unnevehr, Acting Administrator of the Economic Research Service, told lawmakers a new study says that by 2050 global demand for food will increase 70 to 100% so ag productivity is going to have to increase that much, however;

Unnevehr: “Simulations indicate that if support for U.S. public agricultural research remains constant at current nominal levels, then productivity growth will fall and output will only increase by 40% by 2050, falling short of future demand.”

To meet the demand it would take a 4.7 percent yearly increase in research funding, otherwise in the U.S.;

Unnevehr: “More food would be imported into the United States and food consumers would pay higher prices.”

With more dire consequences in poor nations.

Research was also mentioned at a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on specialty crops. Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow said that specialty crops and organics are bright spots in the nation’s economic future but maintained that critical support for research and risk management will be key to continuing growth. Stabenow noted that successful efforts like the Specialty Crop Block Grants and the Specialty Crop Research Initiative have been critical in helping producers manage risk and expand opportunities.

I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on Northwest Aginfo Net.

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