USDA announced that it is making $130 million in funding available for education, research and Extension projects to support sustainable, productive and economically viable plant and animal production systems.
The funding allocations for the various research areas are:
â–º $31 million for animal health and production and animal products;
â–º $33 million for plant health and production and plant products;
â–º $19 million for food safety, nutrition and health;
â–º $14 million for bioenergy, natural resources and environment;
â–º $11 million for agriculture systems and technology; and
â–º $17 million for agriculture economics and rural communities.
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said, “Investing in agricultural research ensures that our farmers and ranchers have innovative, safe and sustainable management practices to meet the food needs of the rising world population. In addition, studies have shown that every dollar invested in agricultural research now returns over $20 to our economy.”
The funding is made available through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative which is administered by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
