The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) has joined other stakeholders in supporting a letter in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) recent National Farm Security Action Plan. The letter commends the inclusion of research and innovation as key priorities in the plan and encourages USDA to leverage the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AGARDA) to lead coordination with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and other agencies.
The letter argues that advanced research in areas like plant and animal diseases, food system resilience, and supply chain integrity is a strategic necessity, not an option. It stresses the importance of not falling behind foreign powers that are aggressively investing in these areas. By fully utilizing AGARDA, the letter suggests, the USDA would be demonstrating its commitment to fortifying the nation’s agricultural infrastructure and ensuring food security in the face of global challenges.
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