Meyer to leave USDA to head FAPRI – thefencepost.com

Leadership Transition at FAPRI to Advance Sustainable Agricultural Policy

Appointment of New Director to Steer Agricultural Research

• Effective January 1, Seth Meyer, the current U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Chief Economist, will assume the role of Director for the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri.
• Mr. Meyer will succeed Pat Westhoff, who is retiring after leading the institute since 2011.

FAPRI’s Mandate and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

For four decades, FAPRI has provided objective analysis of agricultural markets and policies. This work is critical for stakeholders, including Congress and the USDA, in making informed decisions that align with global sustainability targets. The institute’s focus directly supports several key SDGs:

1. SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): FAPRI’s core mission involves analyzing policies that affect food prices, production quantities, and market stability, thereby contributing to food security and the promotion of sustainable agriculture.
2. SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): By examining impacts on farm income and government costs, FAPRI’s research informs policies aimed at ensuring the economic viability of the agricultural sector and supporting the livelihoods of producers.
3. SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The institute exemplifies effective partnerships by collaborating with governmental bodies, academic institutions, commodity groups, and international governments to develop robust and sustainable agricultural frameworks.

Strategic Responsibilities and Global Impact

As Director, Mr. Meyer will lead a team dedicated to research and outreach with a significant impact on sustainable development.

• Long-Term Projections: FAPRI’s annual baseline report, which offers 10-year projections for farm income and commodity markets, serves as a vital tool for long-term strategic planning to build resilient and sustainable food systems.
• Policy Analysis: The institute responds to congressional requests to analyze specific policy issues, ensuring that legislative decisions are grounded in objective data that considers economic and social sustainability.
• International Collaboration: FAPRI’s engagement in projects across the United Kingdom, Africa, and Europe demonstrates a commitment to global agricultural development and knowledge sharing, essential for achieving the SDGs on a worldwide scale.

Profile of the Incoming Director

• Seth Meyer possesses extensive experience directly relevant to FAPRI’s mission, having previously served as the head of the USDA’s World Agricultural Outlook Board.
• His prior leadership in publishing the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report highlights his expertise in global market analysis, a key component of addressing SDG 2.
• Mr. Meyer holds a doctoral degree in agricultural economics from the University of Missouri, providing him with a deep institutional and academic foundation for the role.

Future Outlook: Enhancing Policy for a Sustainable Agricultural Sector

The leadership transition is poised to strengthen FAPRI’s role in shaping a sustainable future for agriculture.

• Mr. Meyer stated his goal is to “continue to provide solid agricultural policy development in support of the agricultural sector,” emphasizing the need for objective, holistic analysis to help policymakers make informed decisions.
• Harvey James, Director of the Division of Applied Social Sciences, noted that Mr. Meyer’s “credibility and leadership” are crucial for ensuring FAPRI remains a trusted source for policy analysis that supports the university’s land-grant mission and, by extension, the broader goals of sustainable development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • The article focuses on the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI), an organization dedicated to the “objective analysis of agricultural markets and policies.” This work is crucial for ensuring stable food systems, supporting farmers, and maintaining food security, which are central tenets of SDG 2. FAPRI’s analysis of “farm income” and “domestic commodity markets” directly relates to the economic viability and sustainability of food production.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • FAPRI’s role in providing “solid agricultural policy development in support of the agricultural sector” contributes to the economic health of a vital industry. By analyzing factors like “farm income” and the effects of policy changes on producers, the institute’s work supports the economic productivity and sustainability of the agricultural sector, aligning with the goals of economic growth.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article explicitly states that FAPRI collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders, including “Congress, USDA, commodity groups and international governments.” This multi-stakeholder approach, which includes “international work” and “scholar exchanges,” exemplifies the partnerships required to achieve sustainable development goals by sharing knowledge and creating informed policies.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 2.c: Adopt measures to ensure the proper functioning of food commodity markets and their derivatives and facilitate timely access to market information… to help limit extreme food price volatility.

   • FAPRI’s work directly supports this target. The article notes that its reports “break down how changes in policies or market conditions would affect prices and quantities.” Furthermore, its “annual baseline report offers a summary of 10-year projections for… domestic commodity markets,” providing the very market information needed to ensure stability.

2. Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation…

   • By providing “in-depth analysis and research” for policymakers, FAPRI helps create an environment where informed decisions can be made to improve the agricultural sector’s productivity. The support for “solid agricultural policy development” is a foundational step toward achieving higher levels of economic productivity within this key sector.

3. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…

   • The operational model of FAPRI is a direct example of this target in action. As a university-based institute, it forms a crucial bridge, providing objective analysis to public entities (“Congress, USDA”), private/civil society groups (“commodity groups”), and international bodies, fostering effective partnerships built on data and research.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for Market Stability and Farm Economics

   • The article implies the use of economic indicators to measure progress. Specifically, FAPRI’s analysis of “prices and quantities,” “farm income,” and “farm program spending” serve as direct measures. These can be used to track the economic health of the agricultural sector and the stability of commodity markets.

2. Indicator of Policy Impact Analysis

   • The article states that FAPRI’s team “frequently fills requests from Congress to examine particular policy issues.” The number and scope of these policy analyses and reports produced for governmental and non-governmental bodies can serve as an indicator of the institution’s contribution to informed, evidence-based policymaking.

3. Indicator of International Collaboration

   • The mention of “International work” in the “United Kingdom, Ireland, Africa and Bulgaria, as well as scholar exchanges” implies that the number and success of these international projects and collaborations can be used as an indicator to measure the progress of global partnerships in agricultural policy.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thefencepost.com