June 16, 2016
The University of Florida and 12 other prominent research institutions in the United States have joined together in calling for a surge in federal support of food and agricultural science.
“Retaking the Field,” a report released by the coalition, highlights recent scientific innovations and illustrates how U.S. agricultural production is losing ground to China and other global competitors.
“Agricultural and food science research has had a profound impact on our country’s population and quality of life,” said Jackie Burns, dean of research at the university’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food and agricultural science sectors were responsible for nearly one in 10 jobs in 2014 and contributed $835 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product.
Even though every public dollar invested in agricultural research provides $20 in economic returns, the federal budget for agricultural research has remained flat for decades.
The report is available at http://supportagresearch.org/retakingthefield/.