Organic Agriculture Funding & Priorities in the U.S. Dr. Mathieu Ngouajio NIFA Division: Plant systems- Production Organic Forum Feb., 26, 2014 Minneapolis
Total world population in billions: probabilistic projections until 2100 Source: Foresight. The Future of Food and Farming (2011)
Reduce global poverty and hunger National security issue Many initiatives currently underway 1st challenge!!!! Ultimate challenge We need new discoveries and technologies with global applications Organic agriculture should be a key player in achieving these goals 3
Since World War II there has been significant changes in agriculture due to news discoveries and leap frog technologies Pesticides: herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, nematicides, soil fumigants, etc.. Fertilizers: specificity, placement, slow release Machinery: tractors, sprayers, Technology: GPS, precision agriculture, plastics Molecular biology: stress resistant cultivars Fewer and fewer farms (2.1 million farms 2012) producing for the rest of the population (313.9 million 2012) 4
Global trends in the intensification of crop production Source: Foresight. The Future of Food and Farming (2011) 5
Lettuce field: Coachella Valley California 6
Radish: Michigan 7
Low level of biodiversity High inputs High pest and disease pressure High potential for erosion Appropriate for Large-scale production Adapted to mechanization 8
1787 letter to Arthur Young in England (227 yrs ago) Our lands, as I mentioned in my first letter to you, were originally very good; but use, and abuse, have made them quite otherwise. This was in reference to soil degradation caused by continuous tobacco or corn-wheat rotations in America 9
Increase crop diversification Prohibit most synthetic inputs Pesticides: herbicides, insecticides, fungicides,. Fertilizers Hmmmm! Without those tools I need to go back to the drawing board!!! 10
With few tools available the research needs to focus more on the entire cropping systems than specific practices. Partnership between scientists and farmers becomes critical Soil building becomes the foundation of the system Critical need for a truly holistic approach in designing experiments 2 nd challenge!!!! How to put all the pieces together into a working and efficient system? 11
Tillage Plasticulture Economics Physiology Engineering Hydroponics Soil quality Genetics Marketing Cover cropping Weeds Fumigation Nematodes Allelopathy Irrigation Biodiversity Insects Diseases Systems approach to crop production 12
Studies based on observation will continue to play important role. Critical to understand the processes underlying key observations 3 rd challenge!!!! This requires a solid scientific background 13
More focus on underlying processes Input - Fertilizer - New variety - New practice - Etc.. How? Why? Output - Yield - Pest control - Quality - Etc.. Without a good understanding of the processes it is difficult to replicate successful results 14
Few scientists have received formal training in organic ag. It is critical to train the next generation of organic ag. scientists Undergraduates Graduates 5 th challenge!!!! Need to include organic courses in agricultural curricula That will broaden student experiences Capacity building 15
Whole system research? Soil Quality Education Extension Specific priorities 16
Low external input systems Improved nutrient cycling Cultivars with improved nutrient use efficiency Soil amendments Cover cropping Use of N fixing cover crops Compost 17
Integrated management Mechanical Biological Physical Chemical Cover cropping No-till systems Engineering New tools Roller Crimper 18
Integrated management Crop diversification Trap cropping Natural enemies Biological insecticides Etc. Source: Colorado State Univ. Source: Cornell Univ. 19
Disease suppressive systems Crop diversification Soil quality Resistant cultivars Photo credit: Hausbeck Lab, MSU 20
Wind erosion 21 Impact of organic production on Carbon sequestration Greenhouse gas emission Biodiversity Soil conservation Mahdi Al-Kaisi et al. 2002 www.weru.ksu.edu
Organic agriculture Research, Extension and Education is underfunded Where to go? http://images.paraorkut.com/img/funnypics/images/s/su mo_wrestling_fight-13078.bmp 22
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60.000.000 Organic Ag. Funding 50.000.000 Other Sources NIFA Formula 40.000.000 21.484.000 NIFA Grant Programs Funds 30.000.000 20.000.000 5.462.818 17.539.000 10.000.000 24.840.182 5.087.282 0 5.274.718 2012 2013
Organic Research by Graduate Students Started in 2010 North Central region. About 10 grants of $10,000 max. each per year Organic Research Initiative (ORI) Started in 2009 Universities in the 12-state North Central region. About 10 grants of $60,000 max. each per year 35
OFRF Grant program Canada, Mexico, U.S. Max. of $15,000/grant Current deadline is Thursday, May 15, 2014 Small grants but huge impact Launching pad for larger projects 36
Organic Programs at NIFA ORG Organic Transitions OREI Organic Ag. Res. & Ext. Init. Integrated Projects* Research Extension Others (historically) Conference Planning Analytical $4 million available in 2014 About same amount in 2015 RFA Deadline:? Education extension Award Cap: $500,000 * Min. 2 functions $20 million available in 2014 About same amount in 2015 RFA Deadline? Award Cap: $50K to $2M 27
Funding to states by year Funds Awarded (Million) 25 20 15 10 5 0 Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative Integrated Organic Programs Integrated Organic and Water Quality Program Organic Transition 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 OREI Not Offered?
ORG and OREI cumulative # of proposals by year Number of proposals 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Declined Funded 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Year 1,026 total 186 funded
ORG & OREI # of proposals submitted by state 2001-2014 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 WA OR NV CA ID AZ UT MT WY CO NM ND MN SD IA NE KS OK WI IL MO AR MS NY MI PA OH IN WV VA KY NC TN SC GA AL VT ME NH MA RI CT NJ DE MD DC *Continuations are counted as 1 TX LA FL AK HI PR GU
ORG & OREI # of proposals funded by state 2001-2014 24 20 16 12 8 4 0 >10 6-10 1-5 0 CA WA OR NV ID AZ UT MT WY CO NM ND MN SD IA NE KS OK WI MI IL IN OH MO KY TN AR GA MS AL NY PA WV VA NC SC VT ME NJ DE NH MA RI CT MD DC *Continuations are counted as 1 TX LA FL AK HI PR GU
CA AZ NV OR WA MT ID WY UT CO NM OK TX KS NE MN SD ND MO IA AR LA AL MS GA FL SC KY TN NC VA WV IL IN OH PA ME NY NJ DE MD VT NH MA CT RI HI AK PR WI MI 2014 ORG-OREI Grant Distribution GU 3 3 3 2 2
Some keys to success for NIFA Organic Programs Human Capacity Critical mass of organic scientists working together Strong connection University- Extension-Organic industry Institutional capacity Support from the upper administration Certified facility for research 33
Thank you for convening this meeting to tackle organic agriculture issues 34