USDA invests $11 million in research to support specialty crop farmers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) has invested $11 million in research that will support specialty crop farmers.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) has invested $11 million in research that will support specialty crop farmers.
“This collaborative public-private research effort will focus on applying innovative solutions to pest management problems that often are otherwise not available to specialty crop farmers,” said Scott Hutchins, USDA deputy under secretary. “Practical and economic crop management solutions may make all the difference between thriving and just surviving financially during the growing season.”
This investment is made through the Minor Crop Pest Management Program (known as the Interregional Research Project, IR-4). The IR-4 program enables crop protection technology often designed for field crops, but equally safe, effective, and economical for growers of minor/specialty crops—including fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture)—to be evaluated and registered for use.
As part of this funding investment, four universities across different U.S. growing regions will lead regional IR-4 programs that will generate additional data for registration of conventional and bio-based crop protection technology for specialty and minor crops in the United States. These efforts require effective collaborations among grower organizations, federal agencies, the private sector, and land-grant colleges and universities.
NIFA’s Pest Management Programs invest in research that supports integrated pest management strategies, including coordinating the use of pest biology, environmental information, and available technology to prevent unacceptable levels of pest damage by the most economical means, while minimizing risk to people, property, resources, and the environment.
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