Harvard Food+ Research Symposium: Daniel Schrag

TL;DR

A report on the state of the agricultural research enterprise in the US, highlighting challenges with global resources, pests, water use, food security, and the need for new investments.

Transcript

thank you I I apologized for changing I gave bill a different title the other day but it was down in the weeds literally it was about carbon evaluation and accounting of biomass and i thought i would actually step back and talk about something else that I've been working on and have been working on for the last several years and this is a report th... Read More

Key Insights

• 😒 Global challenges in agriculture, including pests, water use, and climate change, require urgent attention and innovative solutions.
• 👨‍🔬 The current funding structure within the USDA limits competitiveness and hinders the impact of research efforts.
• 🤨 The public sector focuses a significant amount of research funding on a few crops, raising questions about the role of federal funding and overlapping efforts with the private sector.
• 👨‍🔬 The next phase of agricultural research should involve greater collaboration and integration with other scientific disciplines.
• 👨‍🔬 Land-grant universities have played a crucial role in agricultural research, but there is a need to broaden the scope of research beyond these institutions.
• 👨‍🔬 Institutions like Harvard, without a land-grant designation, should actively contribute to agricultural research and innovation.
• 🪡 The research enterprise needs to adapt to the changing needs and challenges of the future to ensure global food security.

Questions & Answers

Q: What were the main challenges identified in the report?

The report identified challenges such as new pests and pathogens, water use, the environmental footprint of agriculture, and the need to adapt to a changing climate. These challenges pose significant threats to our food supply and require urgent attention.

Q: How is the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the overall research system in the US for agriculture performing?

The report found that the USDA and the research system in the US for agriculture have deep problems. The majority of funding within the USDA goes to support the Agricultural Research Service, and only about 15% of the funding is competitively awarded. This lack of competition hampers innovation and limits the impact of research.

Q: How does the public sector allocate its research funding in agriculture?

The report highlighted that a third of the public sector's research funding is allocated to just five crops. This raises questions about the overlap between public and private sector research efforts and the role of federal funding in supporting diverse and innovative agricultural research.

Q: What is the proposed solution for improving agricultural research in the US?

The report suggests the need to broaden the scope of agricultural research beyond land-grant universities and into all universities. It calls for greater integration of agriculture with other scientific disciplines and advocates for increased collaboration and investment in agricultural research across all institutions.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The report addresses emerging challenges in agricultural research that are not being adequately addressed by federal or private funding.

• Some of the challenges identified include the threat of new pests and pathogens, water use issues, the environmental impact of agriculture, and the need to grow food in a changing climate.

• Food and nutrition, as well as the role of the US in global food security, are also key concerns.