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Science and Technology
USAID Funds Award Winning Agricultural Research
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| Dr. Elinor Ostrom |
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Dr. Elinor Ostrom, a recipient of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Economics, is a researcher under one of the USAID-supported Collaborative Research Support Programs (CRSPs). Ostrom, the first woman to win the Nobel Prize for Economics in its 40 year history, received this award on October 12 for her work demonstrating that common property can be successfully managed by user associations. More >
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| Dr. Gebisa Ejeta |
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On October 15th, 2009 Dr. Gebisa Ejeta, Distinguished Professor of Agronomy at Purdue University, was awarded the 2009 World Food Prize, worth $250,000. Speaking at the Award Ceremony when the prize was announced in June, Secretary Clinton declared: “This year, the World Food Prize is awarded to a man whose work is not confined to a single field, but covers several: in the science of plant genetics, to the creation of thriving local markets, to the training of famers in new agricultural techniques.” (Secretary’s full remarks) More > |
Farmers in developing countries often lack resources to respond to the many challenges of our rapidly changing world - pests and diseases destroy crops, extreme weather events slow work and destroy fields, and growing populations demand increasing amounts of food. Science and technology are critical for meeting this demand for food, maintaining market competitiveness, and adapting to and mitigating climate change.
USAID works to bring the latest scientific knowledge and technology to those who need it most and helps farmers innovate and adapt to overcome agricultural development challenges.
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| USAID supports Mexico's agricultural research programs to improve various crop production for farmers. (Ben Barber, USAID) |
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USAID’s approach
USAID’s approach to science and technology in agriculture is described in the USAID Agricultural Strategy: Linking Producers to Markets. To mobilize science and technology, and foster capacity for innovation, USAID assists partner countries and regions to:
- formulate science policies, strategies, and governance systems
- support technology development and application
- expand public and private sector partnerships and collaborative networks of specialists
- foster innovation within and among developing countries so that they can generate, utilize, and direct new technologies in locally appropriate directions
Recognizing the important role women play in development, USAID and its partners support women’s capacity to participate in innovation and ensure that investments in science and technology are regionally and nationally appropriate.
USAID primarily supports science and technology through the Collaborative Research Support Programs (CRSPs) and Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).
Collaborative Research Support Programs (CRSPs)
Since 1975, USAID has funded international research through CRSPs - long-term, multidisciplinary research and training initiatives that recognize international agricultural research is most successful through collaboration. Researchers from U.S. universities work with scientists from developing-country universities, National Agricultural Research Systems, the CGIAR, U.S. agricultural companies, and NGOs to identify research needs, design research projects, analyze results and disseminate knowledge.
Eight CRSPs are currently active:
- Aquaculture & Fisheries CRSP at Oregon State University conducts applied research on critical aquaculture-production constraints, disseminates best practices, and builds local capacity
- Assets and Market Access (AMA) CRSP at the University of Wisconsin, Madison researches poverty and income-distribution dynamics to improve agricultural competitiveness and increase the resilience of the rural poor
- Dry Grain Pulses CRSP at Michigan State University provides research and training to support international partnerships that increase the availability of beans, cowpeas and related pulses, the dried seeds of legumes, including beans, peas and lentils
- Global Livestock CRSP at the University of California, Davis undertakes research to strengthen the ability of institutions and individuals to manage risk related to livestock production; increase employment and incomes among livestock producers; and enhance the nutritional status of targeted populations
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) CRSP at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University supports regional research programs in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America to develop and promote the adoption of IPM approaches that raise food quality and quantity and protect the environment
- Peanut CRSP at the University of Georgia supports joint research, technology development and capacity development in 11 African and Latin American countries to boost productivity of peanut crops and increase the economic advancement of small-scale farmers
- Sorghum, Millet, and Other Grains CRSP at the University of Nebraska undertakes research in 20 countries on critical production constraints associated with sorghum, millet, and other grains; disseminates best practices; and builds local capacity
- Sustainable Agriculture & Natural Resource Management (SANREM) CRSP at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University promotes stakeholder empowerment and improved livelihoods through the discovery, organization, and dissemination of SANREM
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
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| USAID provided support for the Badam Bagh Agricultural Laboratory in Afganistan to improve seed productivity to better Afghans' farming methods. (Jennifer Lindsey, USAID) |
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Created in 1971, the CGIAR is a global alliance of international agricultural and natural resource research centers that generates technology and policy to serve the needs of smallholder farm, pastoral, forest-dwelling and fishing families in the developing world. The CGIAR centers conduct innovative research and science on the issues of food security, environmental conservation, and climate change to benefit the poor by increasing food availability, nutritional quality and affordability and by improving environmental services such as access to clean water.
CGIAR currently comprises 15 active research centers:
Other agriculture-related science and technology programs supported by USAID include the following:
- Agricultural Biotechnology Support Program II supports scientists, regulators, extension workers, farmers and the general public in developing countries to make informed decisions about agricultural biotechnology
- Farmer-to-Farmer Program provides technical assistance to farmers, farm groups, and agribusinesses in developing and transitional countries to promote sustainable improvements in food processing, production, and marketing
- International Fertilizer Development Center provides a broad range of services in technical assistance, research, training, and problem solving to increase smallholder production of key food staples by improving fertilizer use and availability, expanding private sector fertilizer distribution, and improving the policy environment for market-based agricultural input supply
- Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) Program funds competitively reviewed, applied research projects that involve direct Arab-Israeli cooperation to support development in the Middle East
- U.S.-Israel Cooperative Development Research (CDR) Program funds competitively reviewed, applied joint research projects that involve U.S. and Israeli scientists working with counterparts in developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America on topics relevant to the needs of the developing-country partners
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