A coalition of more than 60 farm and commodity groups is asking lawmakers to double the funding for agricultural research in the next farm bill. The Center for Rural Affairs is part of that group. Policy Program Director Johnathan Hladik says increased research dollars are critical for farmers to be able to help feed a growing world population.
He says while the $6 billion request may seem like a lot of money, the research will pay off.
Hladik says private companies in the U.S. have recently contributed to ag research. However, the advantage of federal rather than private funding, is the research tends to be unbiased.
Hladik says the U.S. should look at the commitment China has made to ag research. They are now the world leader in ag research funding, passing the U.S. which has fallen to second place.
