Thanks to investments in agricultural research, the U.S. has seen unparalleled growth in agricultural production over the last 70 years.

Farmers and consumers alike benefit from increased crop yields, reduced labor and farmland usage, weather and disease tolerant crops, and lower rates of hunger.

Agriculture is a success story.

But that success is fleeting.

As the population continues to grow and extreme weather events become more devastating, our agricultural systems are facing unprecedented challenges. We need investment in research to find solutions to these urgent issues, yet agricultural R&D continues to decline.

We must take action now to combat climate change and avoid a global food crisis. We have no doubt that our brightest minds can find solutions to agriculture’s greatest challenges, but we can’t do this without funding the research that makes these solutions possible.

Without sustained, increased investment in agricultural research, we are at risk of losing our hard-won agricultural progress–leading to an uncertain future where food and nutrition security is no longer guaranteed.

Agricultural R&D funding is at an all time low.

  • The U.S. only invests 2% of its research budget into agriculture.

  • Funding peaked in 2002 and has declined by one-third since, hitting the lowest levels since 1970.

  • Agricultural research makes up less than 1% of the current Farm Bill budget–the most important piece of legislation for agriculture.

  • As of 2015, China was spending more than double the U.S. on agricultural research and continues to increase its investments while the U.S. investment continues to decline.

Through scientific breakthroughs, farmers and ranchers can make agriculture more resilient, incorporating sustainable production methods and ensuring global food security - without sacrificing the productivity that has made U.S. agriculture the envy of the world.

Productivity 

We have seen incredible growth in productivity over the last decades, and now produce enough food grown to feed every mouth on earth.

However, a changing climate and growing population threaten to erode these successes. In order to ensure we can continue to produce enough food into the future, we need to invest in the research and technology that will get us there–today.

Sustainability

Agriculture can, and should, be part of the solution to climate change. No industry is more sensitive to the detrimental effects of a changing climate, where droughts, heat waves, cold snaps, and other extreme weather events put farmers’ livelihoods, and our food supply at risk.

Investments in agricultural research will ensure our farmers have the tools to create resilient systems to withstand extreme weather events and reduce greenhouse gas emissions - without negatively impacting productivity or profitability.

Food security

Food security is a prerequisite to peace and security but in much of the world, achieving food security is an ongoing struggle. A changing climate, volatile markets, and a lack of research-driven agricultural tools all hold back the world’s poorest farmers from achieving economic progress or even putting food on the table.

Through innovations in science, the U.S. has led the world in the fight to end global hunger and kept hunger at bay for millions - vital work that takes requires sustained and continued investment.