Feed the Future and the Role of Universities

USAID is reaching out to U.S. universities not only in conducting critical research programs, but also drawing on your experience and expertise in critical areas like extension and human and institutional capacity building. The U.S. private sector, with its unparalleled capacity for product development, is also working with us to bring innovations like drought-tolerant crops developed using the latest biotechnologies.

Overall, the Feed the Future research strategy seeks to ensure that science responds to the need of developing countries, growing their economies, helping reduce shocks from pests, diseases or drought, and improving the lives of millions of food insecure families. We expect the university community to be a key partner in implementing our research strategy.

Last month I spoke at a day long symposium on 25 years of USAID food security research. Entitled “Food Security III: A Quarter-Century of Lessons Learned,” the symposium highlighted key findings from food security research conducted by USAID through its work with Michigan State University.

Topics included best practices for developing staple food markets; poverty reduction through high-value cash crop cultivation; impacts of fertilizer subsidies; and the importance of regional agricultural markets. Speakers presented key findings from research, discussed application of findings to the Feed the Future initiative, and advised how USAID’s agriculture investments could achieve lasting impact.

I highlight this event to demonstrate not only that Michigan State researchers have been carrying out integrated programs of applied research, capacity building, and policy dialogue focused on food security for decades, but to remind you of how that work is inextricably linked to the U.S. Government’s efforts to promote sustainable agricultural growth as a means to cut hunger and poverty.

Let’s talk more about some of the existing programs we have with the higher education community that connects to research.