A SCIENCE ROADMAP FOR AGRICULTURE Deans & Directors Orientation December 2006 Eric Young (SAAESD)
Original Objectives : Plot future research opportunities of science-for-agriculture More carefully decide research directions and institutional investments, especially when developing goods and services using public funds A Science Roadmap for Agriculture
Task Force: 24 scholars, representing diverse disciplines and geographic areas Charged by ESCOP to look forward 10 to 20 years Chart the major directions of agricultural science A Science Roadmap for Agriculture
Effort Included: Prioritizing stakeholder needs Determining scientific feasibility using current methods and tools Predicting positive impacts of successful research outcomes Setting forth seven Challenge Areas, each with four Objectives A Science Roadmap for Agriculture
Seven Challenge Areas Develop new and more competitive crop products and new uses for diverse crops and novel plant species. Develop new products and new uses for animals. Reduce the risks of local and global climatic change on food, fiber, and fuel production. A Science Roadmap for Agriculture
Seven Challenge Areas (cont.) Provide the information and knowledge needed to further improve environmental stewardship. Improve the economic return to agricultural producers. Strengthen our communities and families. Ensure improved food safety and health through agricultural and food systems. A Science Roadmap for Agriculture
Caveats: Not a comprehensive description of everything to be accomplished in agricultural research Current agricultural research agenda must be continued into the future Maintenance research must be sustained to protect past gains Basic research must be supported if agriculture is to be well served by science A Science Roadmap for Agriculture
Roadmap Update : ESCOP Science & Technology Committee charged with 5-year review/update. Surveyed directors with three objectives. u Priority for research and funding u Discipline capacity most limiting u Stakeholder groups most influential A Science Roadmap for Agriculture
Challenge and Objective Changes: Highest priority – u Food Safety and Environment Medium priority – u Economic Return, Communities & Families, and Competitive Crops Lowest priority – u Climate Change and Animal Products A Science Roadmap for Agriculture
Challenge and Objective Changes: Food Safety Challenge – u Health-promoting foods u Agro-security, bioterrorism, & invasive species u Food choice behavior A Science Roadmap for Agriculture
Challenge and Objective Changes: Environment – u Sustainable systems & feeding strategies u Ecological models & policy analysis Economic Return – u Integration of local, national, & global food systems A Science Roadmap for Agriculture
Other Survey Results: Disciplines with limiting capacity – u Affecting multiple challenges: Economics, Communication, Education, Molecular Biology u Affecting a single challenge: Sociology, Nutrition-Metabolism, Ecology, Hydrology A Science Roadmap for Agriculture
Other Survey Results: Influential Stakeholder Groups – A Science Roadmap for Agriculture Commodity groups 2. Farmers & rancher groups 3. State Legislature 4. USDA 5. Agribusinesses State Legislature 2. Environmental Groups 3. Agribusinesses 4. Food Safety Groups 5. Commodity Groups
Roadmap Has and Will: Assist decision-makers and advocates for the research and education system Help mobilize and plan the allocation of resources for future program areas Guide establishing national priorities for future research needs. A Science Roadmap for Agriculture
NRI Priority Recommendations: Integration of crop & livestock systems Processing efficiency of crop bioproducts Food borne illnesses Agroforestry, phytoremediation, & site-specific management to lessen environmental impacts Environmentally sustainable crop & livestock production Entrepreneurship & business development in rural communities, including regional trade associations, rural cooperatives, & local production networks A Science Roadmap for Agriculture