Rubio, Colleagues Introduce Land Grant Research Prioritization Act
Rubio, Colleagues Introduce Land Grant Research Prioritization Act Senator Marco Rubio
sdgtalks
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Collaborates with Land-Grant Universities to Address Critical Issues
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, collaborates with land-grant colleges and universities to address critical issues related to agriculture, food, the environment, and the community.
Legislation Introduced to Support Research and Development in Agriculture
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) introduced bipartisan legislation to authorize the USDA to make priority research grants available for land-grant universities to research and develop agricultural applications of artificial intelligence, advanced mechanized harvester technologies, invasive species control, and aquaculture.
-
“Florida’s land-grant universities are constantly innovating to address critical issues pertaining to agriculture and natural resource management in Florida. The Land Grant Research Prioritization Act will ensure that priority research grants are available to support cutting-edge research topics important to Florida to face these challenges.” – Senator Rubio
-
“Farming is a tough job—which is why investing in agriculture research and precision agriculture technology is good for our producers, our economy, and our planet,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I’m proud to partner with Senator Rubio to invest in Georgia’s land-grant universities to ensure they are equipped with the federal resources they need to remain on the cutting edge.” – Senator Warnock
U.S. Representative Scott Franklin (R-FL) introduced companion legislation in the House.
-
“Labor shortages, inflation, supply chain disruption, invasive diseases, and extreme weather have created significant challenges for American agricultural producers. AI and other important research into mechanization, invasive species, and aquaculture are promising solutions to keep growers economically competitive. At a time when growers in Florida and around the country need support, our bipartisan Land Grant Research Prioritization Act is a timely fix to boost US-grown food production and keep growers on the cutting edge. I thank Congressman Bishop for joining me in this important effort.” – Congressman Franklin
Support from Agricultural Organizations
This bill is supported by Agriculture and Natural Resources, UF/IFAS, UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Florida Strawberry Growers Association, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Florida Citrus Mutual, Florida Farm Bureau, Florida A&M University, Georgia Pecan Growers Association, Vidalia Onion Business Council, and the Georgia Blueberry Commission.
-
“Authorization for USDA to fund research into agricultural applications for artificial intelligence is essential to the future of American farms. The land-grant universities engaged in first-rate science cannot deliver it at the speed necessary to keep us globally competitive without USDA support. Funding for AI-guided agricultural science will drive the innovation that keeps America globally competitive and not reliant upon other nations for its food supply.” – Dr. J. Scott Angle, Senior Vice President of Agriculture and Natural Resources, UF/IFAS
-
“As the global population increases, it’s more important than ever that agriculture is equipped to incorporate technology into our work. This kind of effort ensures that agricultural innovation remains at the forefront of our research efforts – technology is continually advancing to address significant needs in agriculture, and our ability to understand and utilize that technology is critical. An increased emphasis on development and evaluation of these technologies will enable agriculture to continue feeding the world in a safe and sustainable manner.” – Nick Place, Dean of the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)
-
“The Florida Strawberry Growers Association is thankful for Congressman Franklin’s foresight in promoting the sustainability of Florida’s specialty crop industries through his efforts in supporting applied artificial intelligence research in agriculture through his sponsorship of this bill.” – Kenneth Parker, Executive Director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association
-
“The prioritization and acceleration of mechanization and automation is critical to the future of the specialty crop industry. Congressman Franklin continues to be a champion for agriculture, seeking solutions for the industry’s domestic workforce crisis and working to ensure the production of U.S.-grown fresh fruits and vegetables.” – Mike Joyner, President of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association
-
“Advancements in mechanization to make our farms and workforces more efficient are sorely needed to level the playing field for U.S. growers. Our land grant universities are uniquely positioned to foster development of these technologies and help bring these advancements to our growers.” – Chris Butts, V.P. of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association
Looking Forward
Senator Rubio will continue to advocate for Florida in the upcoming Farm Bill.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the collaboration between the USDA and land-grant colleges and universities to address critical issues related to agriculture, food, the environment, and the community. These issues are connected to the SDGs mentioned above.
2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Based on the Article’s Content
- SDG 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
- SDG 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending.
- SDG 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
- SDG 15.6: Promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and promote appropriate access to such resources.
The targets mentioned above are relevant to the issues discussed in the article, such as sustainable food production systems, technological capabilities in agriculture, climate change adaptation, and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article
- Research grants availability for land-grant universities
- Research and development spending
- Technological advancements in agriculture
- Capacity building on climate change mitigation and adaptation
- Utilization and access to genetic resources
The article mentions the availability of research grants for land-grant universities, which can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards the targets. Additionally, the emphasis on technological advancements, capacity building, and utilization of genetic resources implies the importance of these indicators in measuring progress.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality. | – Research grants availability for land-grant universities – Technological advancements in agriculture |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending. | – Research and development spending – Technological advancements in agriculture |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning. | – Capacity building on climate change mitigation and adaptation |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.6: Promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and promote appropriate access to such resources. | – Utilization and access to genetic resources |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: rubio.senate.gov
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
