National Academies Report Charts New Course for Agricultural Research

Factors such as globalization, trade liberalization and consumer preferences have changed the way agricultural research is conducted, and advances in biotechnology and genomics, ecosystem science and social science have altered the overall agricultural landscape. However, the United States' leading agricultural research service is not quite ready to adapt to this changing environment with its traditional organizational structure, states a new report published by the National Academies.

Frontiers in Agricultural Research, conducted for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is the result of the National Academies' efforts to review USDA's Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area and offer suggestions for the future of agriculture in the U.S. The report positions REE as the nation's principal driver of publicly funded agricultural research – one which oversees nearly $2 billion in federal research each year – that executes its mission through four member agencies.

To continue the gains put forth by agriculture over the last century, a National Academies committee contends that "REE must be more anticipatory and strategic in its use of limited resources and must guide and champion new directions in research." Such gains are encapsulated by a new and different role in which agriculture has delivered nutritional, pharmaceutical and bio-based products and supported rural communities. Still, high-level leadership is needed to make further advances, the authors say.

It is the committee's view that REE's existing operational structure is not adequately prepared to respond to new pressures and interests "in an increasingly volatile, complex environment." Half of REE's resources, or two of five strategic research goals, presently are dedicated to traditional agricultural productivity. The rest is evenly distributed among human health, the environment and communities.

To maximize the impact of REE's resources, the National Academies committee suggests REE undertake clearer priority-setting mechanisms and adopt more flexibility in funding and research agendas, including increased multidiscliplinary research and collaboration. The committee also suggests making agricultural research more accountable to stakeholders. For example, REE could hold a national conference every 2-3 years to bring together its component agencies and stakeholders for agency planning. Seventeen specific research opportunities are highlighted as well.

Frontiers in Agricultural Research is available at: http://www7.nationalacademies.org/banr/BANR_Recently_Released_Reports.html

More information on REE is available at: http://www.reeusda.gov/