Gonzalez, I. Miley

English

Research Papers in Economics

PRIORITIES IN THE  CHANGING  WORLD  OF
AGRICULTURE
I. Miley Gonzalez
Under Secretary,  Research, Education and Economics-USDA
Agriculture is undergoing major changes.  The phase-out of the farm program
safety net, the growth of international  trade, and the development of new crops and
varieties through biotechnology present farmers with a vast array of choices.  Each
choice  presents  both  opportunity  and risk.  Farmers  look to USDA for effective,
research-based  options:  decision-making  skills that make  the difference  between
failure and survival--and survival and success.  USDA is in a position to provide the
leadership  to  address  emerging problems  that affect  the  spectrum of economic,
environmental,  and social conditions in the United States and worldwide.
We must find answers to increasing agricultural productivity without damaging
soil fertility, fragile ecosystems, or our air and water quality. Population growth and
improving diets in third world countries has changed the world food situation from
one of surplus to that of near supply-demand balance.  Science-based knowledge is
essential to the  future  success  of agriculture  and  the land-grant community  is the
foundation of that knowledge.
Farming is  no longer the  largest element in the economic base of most rural
communities  in the United  States.  However,  agriculture is clearly important to the
fate of these communities.  Adequate numbers of off-farm jobs are key to the small
family  farm  and  rural  communities.  Their viability  can  be  addressed  by job
decentralization, which is driven by fiber optics, fax and Internet communications,
and increased  agricultural  exports,  particularly  value-added  products.  Research,
teaching  and extension provide real world solutions to these real world problems.  I
repeat,  new knowledge  is key to success for U.S. agriculture.
Research, education, and extension programs must be strengthened to enable
us to achieve long-term  sustainability in agricultural production that achieves  and
maintains profitability, minimizes negative environmental  effects, and develops and
improves strong rural and agricultural  communities.  We must respond quickly, and
with credibility, to broad public concerns for safe, nutritious and accessible  foods.
As  we approach  the reauthorization  of agricultural research,  extension  and
teaching legislation, there are  11 general principles which we are looking for in the new title:
*  Using  existing  legislative  and  administrative  authorities  because  of the
flexibility they offer.
49*  Encouraging efficiencies throughout the research, education and extension
system  and reinvesting administrative  savings in programs.
*  Encouraging multi-functional, multi-regional, multi-institutional activities
to achieve maximum leverage of federal, state and local dollars.
*  Continuing  support for a range  of funding  mechanisms  and  the  current
structure of intramural and extramural research.
*  Continuing support for formula funds.
*  Merit review with peer evaluation in all research programs with competitively
awarded programs.
*  An  active  federal-state-local  partnership  in setting  priorities,  conducting
the work, and evaluating the work.
*  Public  sector/private  sector partnerships  as a means  of leveraging  scarce
federal dollars.
*  Responsiveness  to  national  and regional  needs  in setting  priorities  with
partners and stakeholders conducting the work and evaluating the work.
*  Maintain world leadership  in agricultural science and education.
*  Improving communications  with the public.
Currently, members of Congress are closely examining the research, extension
and teaching title of the farm bill.  On September  25,  1997, the  Subcommittee on
Forestry,  Resource  Conservation,  and  Research  of the  House  Committee  on
Agriculture will mark up its recommendations.  In the Senate, S. 115 0, introduced by
Agriculture,  Nutrition,  and  Forestry  Committee  Chairman  Lugar,  is  pending
consideration.  S. 1150 addresses new resources, collaboration and efficiency reforms,
accountability  reforms  and offsets.  As  you  can  see,  challenges  translate  into
opportunities.
Another challenge before us is how to develop a wiser investment of resources,
both human and financial,  to continue our effectiveness in an era of tight budgets.
The congressionally-mandated  Government Performance  and Results Act (GPRA)
requires that federal agencies develop  strategic plans that correlate to the formulation
of agency budget requests and that adhere to the "management  for results" concept.
This plan outlines our expectations for research, education and extension, including
50a mechanism  for assessing  and redirecting  agency  programs  to  achieve strategic
goals.  We began responding to these needs  in the 1994  reorganization effort.  We
need to reach out  and build new, innovative  collaborations  across the public  and
private  sectors.  We  need a better coordinated  research,  education  and extension
approach to problems of regional  and national interest.  We must re-examine  our
priorities and the contributions we can make to agriculture, people and communities.
Education is the catalyst for responding to change and moving this nation into the
next century.  Integrated higher education programs will  stimulate and enable colleges
and universities  to  provide  the  quality  education  necessary  to  strengthen  and
replenish the nation's food and agricultural,  scientific and professional workforce.
I view the complex challenges to agriculture  and the continued effectiveness
of the federal partnership as opportunities.  We have a solid foundation from which
to grow with change  to  create  a dynamic  new future.  Partnership  enhances  our
ability to proactively address critical national priorities, maximize resources and the
benefits of research, and provide essential hands-on, problem-solving  knowledge to
the people of this nation down to the local community level.
At the federal level, we advance the cause of  research, education and extension.
We  also provide  answers  to  Congress,  the  White  House and  other government
entities and we broker research, extension, teaching and land-grant system resources.
Partnership positions us to truly make a difference  in people's lives.
The research, education and economic (REE) mission area of  USDA has a deep
well of insightful information from its agencies, Agricultural Research Service (ARS),
Cooperative  State Research Education and Extension Service (CSREES), Economic
Research Service (ERS), and National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), which
is relevant to emerging public issues involving agriculture  and rural America.  The
federal-state  partnership  rooted  in  academics  and research  can reap  rewards  by
classifying and assembling information from many sources and then packaging it in
the context of the information age so that it can compete with and complement non-
scientific information.
As the newly appointed under secretary of REE, I am excited about the future
of education and research, and look forward to overcoming the challenges that face
us.  The REE mission area has the potential to significantly impact the quality and
quantity  of scientists,  engineers  and other agricultural  professionals  for the  next
century, as well as to provide  leadership to address  the future of agriculture.
51Agricultural  Policy at the End of
the 20th Century

PRIORITIES IN THE CHANGING WORLD OF AGRICULTURE

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Research Papers in Economics