USDA Announces Specialty Crop Research Initiative Funds

Ag Secretary Ed Schafer said the USDA has awarded more than $28 million through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) to solve critical specialty crop ag issues, address priorities and solve problems through research and extension.

SCRI was established in the 2008 Farm Bill to support the specialty crop industry by developing and disseminating science- based tools to address needs of specific crops and their regions in five focus areas: 1.) Improve crop characteristics through plant breeding, genetics and genomics; 2.) Address threats from pests and diseases; 3.) Improve production efficiency, productivity and profitability; 4.) Develop new innovations and technologies and 5.) Develop methods to improve food safety.

Each of the five focus areas will receive at least 10% of the available funds. ❖