Research needs to be included in the next farm bill. That was the message the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research members heard from witnesses who stressed the important role research plays in ensuring that American agriculture remains competitive and capable of addressing growing needs around the world.
“The public-private partnership in agricultural research has allowed American agriculture to flourish over the last century, supplying our nation with a stable, abundant, and affordable food supply while contributing to America’s competitiveness in the global marketplace. Today we learned more about the benefits of investing in agricultural research. As we begin our work on the next farm bill—and as we look at the future of American agriculture—it is vital that we invest in public agricultural research,” said Rep. Rodney Davis (IL-13), Chairman.
“Investments in agricultural research have led to extraordinary gains in productivity over the past century. While the United States has been, and should remain, the leader in cutting-edge agricultural research, public funding for agricultural research has been on the decline. While the private-sector is offsetting part of those losses, private-sector research often depends on the fundamental research supported by public investment. If the U.S. is going to remain competitive going forward, we must continue making key investments in our agricultural research system and we must look for ways to do that in the most efficient manner possible,” said Agriculture Chairman K. Michael Conaway.
