American agriculture faces increasing, intense competition in the global marketplace. Worldwide, agricultural production has increased faster than demand in many areas, resulting in current commodity surpluses, low prices, and unreliable profitability. Recent shifts in U.S. farm policy to remove price supports emphasize the need for American agriculture to move beyond production of ever-larger quantities of ever-cheaper commodities. In response, farmers and ranchers must be able to produce higher-quality products that can be differentiated from lower-value commodities; commodities and co-products must be converted into useful value-added food and nonfood products; and products must be protected from contamination or loss of quality after harvest to ensure marketability. Research must also be responsive to consumer demands for high quality, safe products; government and consumer pressures to provide products that are "environmentally friendly" or that are produced using processes that are "friendly" to people, animals, and the environment; and the need for a sustainable and profitable agricultural production system. In this program, research will develop knowledge and technology for crop and animal product quality measurement and maintenance or enhancement during processing and marketing; commodity and co-product processing into value-added materials; and new specialty products from crops and animals. Relation to Other National Programs: Research in this program is carefully coordinated with many other
national programs. For instance, developing higher quality agricultural
commodities cannot only be achieved with innovative postharvest
treatments, but can and should also be achieved through development
of superior germplasm (under the Plant, Microbial & Insect
Germplasm Conservation & Development and Animal Genomes,
Germplasm, Reproduction & Development National Programs), better understanding
of plant biological and molecular processes (Plant Biological &
Molecular Processes National Program), better management of crop
and commodity pests and diseases (Plant Diseases and Crop
Protection & Quarantine National Programs),
and improved crop and animal production systems (Crop
Production, Animal Production Systems, and
Aquaculture National Programs). Similarly, the marketability and value of commodities can be
increased by ensuring that value-added products (such as fresh cut
produce) retain sensory quality, nutritional value (Human Nutrition
Requirements, Food Composition, & Intake National Program), and
are free from food safety hazards (Food Safety National Program). Net
costs for production and processing of commodities can be decreased
by conversion of their processing wastes and low-valued byproducts
into value-added biofuels (Bioenergy & Energy Alternatives National
Program).
Projects in this Program - by State
Legend:
Maroon = click to see related projects in these states.
Gray = No related research in this state.
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