USDA Science Blueprint Focuses On Technology

Last week, the USDA officially released its five-year science blueprint.

“Technology has led the productivity miracle of American agriculture for over 90s years,” said Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue.  “We keep can’t stop and it's even more important that we continue to lead in international arenas.”

USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Research Education and Economics, Scott Hutchins, called the blueprint a roadmap to clear, quick, and flexible outcomes for research addressing challenges in agriculture.

“The blueprint give us a sense of things that we want to make sure that we emphasize and focus on, but also creates the dialog and the discussion,” Hutchins said.  “It provides a framework for coordinating USDA science initiatives across the department.”

The Blueprint focuses on five program themes:

• Sustainable Ag intensification
• Ag climate adaptation
• Food and nutritional translation
• Value added innovations
• Ag science policy leadership

“We're about the outcomes that will come from the work captured within that publication,” Hutchins added.

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