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[Senate Report 111-19]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                                                        Calendar No. 60
111th Congress                                                   Report
                                 SENATE
 1st Session                                                     111-19

======================================================================

 
                    GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY ACT OF 2009

                                _______
                                

                  May 13, 2009.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

          Mr. Kerry, from the Committee on Foreign Relations,
                        submitted the following

                                 REPORT

                         [To accompany S. 384]

    The Committee on Foreign Relations, having had under 
consideration the bill (S. 384), to authorize appropriations 
for fiscal years 2010 through 2014 to provide assistance to 
foreign countries to promote food security, to stimulate rural 
economies, and to improve emergency response to food crises, to 
amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, and for other 
purposes, reports favorably thereon and recommends that the 
bill do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page

  I. Purpose..........................................................1
 II. Committee Action.................................................1
III. Discussion.......................................................2
 IV. Cost Estimate....................................................9
  V. Evaluation of Regulatory Impact.................................11
 VI. Changes in Existing Law.........................................11

                               I. PURPOSE

    The purpose of S. 384 is to authorize appropriations for 
fiscal years 2010 through 2014 to promote global food security, 
stimulate rural economics, and improve the U.S. emergency 
response to food crises.

                          II. COMMITTEE ACTION

    S. 384 was introduced by Senators Lugar, Casey, and Durbin 
on February 5, 2009. On March 31, 2009, the committee ordered 
S. 384 reported unanimously by voice vote.

                            III. DISCUSSION

    S. 384, the ``Global Food Security Act of 2009'' authorizes 
increased resources for long-term rural development through 
investments in agricultural productivity, infrastructure, 
education, research, science, technology and extension in order 
to reorient U.S. development programs to focus on hunger and 
poverty alleviation. It creates a new program to enhance human 
and institutional capacity through higher education for 
agriculture and extension, and a new fund to improve the U.S. 
emergency response to food crises. It creates a Special 
Coordinator for Global Food Security and directs the President 
to establish a Global Food Security Strategy.
    Roughly one billion people suffer from food insecurity--
they are unable to consume sufficient calories for a healthy 
and active life. Chronic hunger has its most pernicious effects 
on children, mothers, and the sick. Children deprived of 
adequate nutrients suffer from lifelong stunting and cognitive 
deficiencies. The children of lactating women also suffer 
physiological consequences of a poor maternal diet. Childhood 
malnutrition claims the lives of up to 5 million children each 
year. The sick, especially those infected with HIV/AIDS, are 
unable to fight off the effects of disease. Those that are well 
spend an inordinate amount of time and income trying to provide 
food for their families.
    The consequences of hunger are profound. Quality of life 
for affected families deteriorates as access to food decreases, 
affecting their productivity, and ultimately the economic 
growth of nations. Hungry children are unable to learn, and 
hungry adults are not productive. Hungry people are desperate 
people, and their hunger can breed instability as evidenced by 
riots in some 19 countries during the Spring and Summer of 
2008. It is both a moral and a security imperative for the 
United States and other wealthy nations to address the root 
causes of hunger.
    The steep spikes in food prices that occurred in 2007 and 
2008 put an additional 75 million people worldwide into the 
category of hungry. Faced with a lack of access to food, poor 
families respond by cutting out more expensive, and often more 
nutritious food, followed by cutting back to one meal a day. 
With prolonged food insecurity, families often sell off farm 
animals for income, which plunges them further into poverty. 
Even a short episode of food unavailability can have very 
lengthy effects on families struggling to pull themselves out 
of poverty.
    Although food prices have declined from 2008, they are 
still above long-term trend levels, according to the Food and 
Agriculture Organization (FAO). World maize prices are still 40 
percent higher, and world rice prices are 100 percent higher 
than the 2003-2006 average, according to the World Bank. There 
are troubling signs that food supply problems may push these 
prices back up as evidenced by low world stocks for cereals. 
The most commonly used indicator of cereals availability, the 
global stocks-to-use ratio, in 2008/2009 is at its second 
lowest in three decades (FAO). The current stocks-to-use ratio 
is 16.7 percent, while during the 1980s and 1990s, it averaged 
in the range of 30 percent to 35 percent.
    There is little reason for anyone to be hungry in a world 
in which we have the knowledge and resources to ensure that 
everyone has access to a nutritious range of food. Just as 
technological advances of the Green Revolution spurred large 
parts of Asia to increase farm yield, so too can technology 
help to increase agricultural productivity in response to 
growing populations. However, today's challenges are more than 
increasing the availability of food. Those living in poverty 
need enough income to ensure access to a varied diet necessary 
for a productive life. Food insecurity is a problem of both 
availability and access, and both aspects must be addressed if 
we are to overcome hunger.
    Agriculture formed the basis for the economic development 
of the United States; it can also be the basis for sustained 
economic growth and prosperity elsewhere. Investments in farm 
yield, in technology and its dissemination to farmers, and in 
education are vital. Addressing hunger is the essence of 
development. Food security both empowers individuals and has a 
multiplier effect throughout society--raising incomes, 
improving nutrition and productivity, spreading equality, and 
creating jobs through related industries.
    The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that 
farmers will need to double current output by 2050 to satisfy 
the demand for food due to population growth, urbanization, and 
rising incomes. This is a daunting task, given that even today, 
about 1 billion people, or 1/6th of the world's population, 
already suffers from food insecurity.
    Both donors and developing countries have neglected to make 
investments in agricultural productivity and rural development. 
The effects of decades of neglect by donor and host governments 
of investments in agricultural productivity became apparent as 
food prices climbed steeply beginning in 2007 and continuing 
into 2008. U.S. assistance for agriculture has declined 
precipitously since the 1980s. In terms of U.S. assistance for 
agriculture as compared to total U.S. assistance, aid for 
agriculture declined from 20 percent in 1980 to 3 percent in 
2006. Assistance from all donors for agriculture has fallen 
from 13 percent in the 1980s to just 4 percent in 2006.
    To overcome hunger, donor and host governments should adopt 
a long-term approach that puts agricultural productivity and 
rural development at center stage. The World Bank contends that 
agriculture continues to be a fundamental instrument for 
sustainable development and poverty reduction. Three out of 
every 4 poor people in developing countries live in rural 
areas, for a total of 2.1 billion people living on less than $2 
a day and 880 million living on less than $1 dollar a day. 
Since most rural people depend on agriculture for their 
livelihoods, the World Bank suggests that promoting agriculture 
is imperative for alleviating poverty and hunger. The Bank 
suggests also that agriculture could be the lead sector for 
growth in sub-Saharan African countries because they are 
largely agriculture-based economies.
    Research on agriculture in developing countries points to 
the importance of increasing the productivity of smallholder 
farmers particularly in countries that are agriculture-based. 
There is widespread agreement that productivity growth is key 
to developing agriculture and that the drivers of productivity 
growth are widespread use of irrigation, modern crop varieties, 
and fertilizer--the main components of the Green Revolution. 
Grain yields have been rising in developing countries as a 
whole, but not in sub-Saharan Africa. Improved varieties 
occupied 80 percent of the area planted to cereals in South and 
East Asia in 2000 compared to just 22 percent in sub-Saharan 
Africa. In South Asia, 39 percent of the crop area is irrigated 
but only 4 percent in sub-Saharan Africa. African farmers use 
about 4 percent of the amount of fertilizer used per hectare by 
Asian farmers--6 kilograms per hectare--about the level of 
Asian use in the 1960s.
    To make advances, special attention should be given to 
harnessing the power of education and science. Developing 
appropriate technologies is vital to this effort, but using 
technology to solve problems will not happen unless countries 
have the human capacity to exploit it. Equally, the United 
States should urge other nations--both wealthy and poor--to 
avoid resisting proven technologies that promise remarkable 
farm productivity payoffs, while protecting the environment. A 
rural focus will have positive effects throughout economies, 
creating new businesses and jobs, promoting equity, and raising 
incomes. It will also have effects on urban centers as 
revitalized rural areas will reduce the motivation for job-
seeking emigrants to leave their homes for an uncertain future 
in the city.
    Those who are poor are also hungry; both problems must be 
addressed in tandem. The Food and Agriculture Organization 
concluded, ``It is now widely acknowledged by most stakeholders 
that the role of agriculture and the rural economy is 
fundamental for securing sustainable gains in the fight against 
poverty. A productivity-induced agricultural expansion can 
``pull'' other sectors with it and increase economic activity 
and employment opportunities in rural areas.'' This recognition 
must be followed by action on the part of donors and host 
governments working in partnership.
    The Global Food Security Act of 2009 would provide for U.S. 
leadership in addressing global hunger. It establishes as U.S. 
policy the promotion of global food security, the eradication 
of hunger and malnutrition, the alleviation of poverty, the 
improvement of agricultural productivity and rural development, 
the development of institutions of higher learning that will 
enhance human capacity, entrepreneurial skills and job 
creation, agricultural research and technology, and the 
dissemination of farming techniques to all parts of the 
agriculture sector, and the support of sustainable farming 
methods. The committee notes that raising agricultural 
productivity and spurring rural development requires a 
multisector approach that encompasses education, 
infrastructure, market development, and health and nutrition 
activities.

    A Global Strategy on Food Security. The bill establishes a 
Special Coordinator for Food Security to advise the President 
on international food security issues and to develop a global 
food security strategy. This strategy is to be developed in 
consultation with government agencies, program implementers, 
private sector actors, education and research institutions, and 
international donor and nongovernmental actors. It should 
reflect a whole of government approach in harnessing the 
resources of the numerous U.S. Government agencies that manage 
programs supporting the objectives of the Global Food Security 
Act. The committee notes that greater efficiencies in the use 
of taxpayer funds can be achieved through the better 
coordination of government activities. This can be achieved 
through coordination in both the design and implementation of 
programs.
    The strategy should take into account the large number of 
women working in agriculture, as farmers, and entrepreneurs, 
particularly in Africa where up to 80 percent of farmers are 
women. The strategy should examine various opportunities and 
obstacles to reaching women in order to raise their income. 
Integrating gender into agriculture programs, from inception 
through implementation and evaluation, can increase food 
production, reduce malnutrition, spur economic growth, and 
improve program effectiveness.
    The strategy should be multisector in approach with a focus 
on approaches that empower individuals rather than enabling 
poverty. Approaches that have a multiplier effect on 
development should be incorporated into the strategy as an 
effective means to alleviating hunger and poverty. The strategy 
should seek to integrate emergency responses in the form of 
food aid, safety net programs and social protection with 
longer-range development strategies that are market based and 
rural in focus.
    A strategy should also include specific and measurable 
goals, benchmarks and time frames, and a plan of action to 
achieve the objectives as established by S. 384. It should be 
the responsibility of the Coordinator to oversee the annual 
monitoring and evaluation of the program measuring progress 
against objectives. The bill requires annual reports to 
Congress on the implementation of the strategy and an 
assessment from the Government Accountability Office on the 
strategy.
    S. 384 designates USAID as the lead agency for implementing 
the strategy. Regardless of the number of government agencies 
participating in development activities, USAID remains the 
primary vehicle and reservoir of expertise and experience. The 
committee notes the value of USAID's experience in the field 
and its ability to support local ownership of program focus and 
policies.
    The committee encourages better field-based coordination in 
the development of country strategies among U.S. government 
agencies, better coordination among international donors at the 
country level, and the leveraging of private resources. 
Organizations such as the Alliance for a Green Revolution in 
Africa (AGRA) can be leaders in working with developing country 
governments, donor governments, and private sources of funding 
to develop integrated approaches to agricultural development.

    Increasing Resources for Agriculture and Rural Development. 
The Global Food Security Act authorizes increased resources for 
agriculture and rural development: $750 million in FY 2010; 
$1,000 million in FY 2011; $1,500 million in FY 2012; $2,000 
million in FY 2013; and, $2,500 million in FY 2014. These 
amounts are to reflect a multisector approach addressing 
agriculture and rural development. The committee notes that the 
funding levels authorized in S. 384 begin to restore U.S. 
funding for agricultural assistance and rural development to 
levels similar to those during the 1980s. Current U.S. funding 
for rural development comprises just 3 percent of total foreign 
assistance, compared to 20 percent in the 1980s. In the first 
year of the bill, this ratio would reach 3.8 percent. If total 
aid were frozen at FY 2009 levels, the bill's funding would 
reach just 13 percent. It is largely accepted that investments 
in agriculture and rural development can be twice as effective 
as investments in other sectors for the alleviation of hunger 
and poverty. Putting our foreign assistance dollars toward this 
sector is a wise investment of our aid budget.
    S. 384 amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 
2151) to clarify the importance of expanding the economic 
participation of people living in extreme poverty, or less than 
$1.00 a day, and of the rural landless. A provision is added to 
support conservation farming and other sustainable agricultural 
techniques to address the effects of climate change, 
deforestation, soil degradation, and water shortages. A 
provision is added to encourage the improvement of nutrition 
for vulnerable populations, especially children under the age 
of two, and pregnant and lactating women. The committee notes 
numerous studies suggesting that the first two years of life 
are critical for physical and cognitive development and that 
children deprived of nutrition under two years of age suffer 
permanent consequences. Large populations of affected children 
could have profound negative outcomes for economic growth and 
stability.
    A provision is also added to Sec. 202 Agricultural Research 
to encourage research on biotechnological advances appropriate 
to local ecological conditions, including genetically modified 
(GM) technology. GM crops hold the promise of improving farm 
yield, particularly drought-resistant varieties, and reducing 
the use of pesticides. Their use and development should be 
considered through additional research.
    The committee notes the valuable expertise and experience 
of private voluntary organizations (PVOs) and cooperatives in 
working with the rural poor, community-based organizations, and 
local administrators to develop agriculture, business, and 
infrastructure, and to improve the living conditions, 
productivity, incomes and nutrition of poor and hungry 
populations. The committee believes that the Special 
Coordinator and the USAID Administrator should identify ways in 
which to utilize PVOs and cooperatives to a greater extent than 
at present.

    The Role of Education, Science, Technology, and Extension.  
Title III--University Partnerships for Agriculture of S. 384 
rewrites Title XII of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 
U.S.C. 2220a) to clarify Congressional intent and remove 
redundancies in priorities and emphases with regard to the role 
of institutions of higher learning, and national and 
international research centers in the field of agriculture. The 
purpose of Title III is to engage the expertise of United 
States institutions of higher education in collaboration with 
public and private institutions in developing countries with 
the objectives of promoting food security, agricultural 
productivity, rural development, poverty and malnutrition 
alleviation, and environmental sustainability. U.S. schools 
have many years of experience and expertise in working with 
foreign schools on agriculture issues. These partnerships 
should be maintained and enhanced.
    The committee notes that U.S. land grant universities and 
other institutions of higher learning have played an important 
role in the development of the U.S. agriculture sector and that 
the agriculture sector laid the foundation for the growth of 
U.S. industry and commerce. One area of expertise of the land 
grant universities is in developing extension services, which 
are inadequate in many developing countries. The agricultural 
programs of education institutions, including both universities 
and vocational schools, in countries suffering from chronic 
hunger and poverty need strengthening in both human and 
institutional capacity. Their strengthening can have a powerful 
multiplier effect on higher education systems in general and 
the development and dissemination of technology. Partnerships 
among educational institutions and national and international 
agricultural research centers can be especially productive.
    S. 384 seeks to strengthen education, science, technology, 
and extension in countries suffering from chronic food security 
and poverty. Title III authorizes programs to support 
agriculture research, strengthen educational capacity, develop 
extension services, and apply agricultural sciences to solving 
chronic hunger. It authorizes funding for the Collaborative 
Research Support Program (CRSP) at $45 million for each fiscal 
year. The CRSP program supports partnerships between U.S. and 
foreign universities on shared research agendas. It authorizes 
funding for the Consultative Group on International 
Agricultural Research (CGIAR) at $50 million for each fiscal 
year. The CGIAR network of international research centers 
around the world conducts much needed research on agricultural 
productivity. While the committee applauds the successes of the 
CGIAR system, it also encourages more collaboration between its 
research centers and national universities in strengthening 
their research, extension, and teaching capacities.
    S. 384 creates a new program, Higher Education 
Collaboration for Technology, Agriculture, Research and 
Extension (HECTARE) for the purpose of strengthening higher 
educational capacity in developing countries in the field of 
agriculture and related sciences. Such programs should help to 
promote entrepreneurship and economic growth in rural areas, 
increase agricultural productivity and sustainable agriculture, 
alleviate poverty and malnutrition, promote nutritional 
diversity, and promote good governance. These objectives can be 
achieved either by support to selected foreign universities 
(HECTARE schools) or U.S. universities, nongovernmental 
organizations, or private entities, working in partnership with 
foreign schools.
    USAID is tasked with developing and implementing the 
program to meet these objectives. The program shall utilize 
multiyear assistance plans for countries that have demonstrated 
a commitment to supporting agriculture and rural development, 
higher education, and good governance. Funds can be used to: 
support academic exchanges of students, faculty, extension 
educators, and school administrators; strengthen agricultural 
sciences curricula including vocational training; increase 
research capacity, output, and quality; and, improve the 
dissemination of information and technology to farmers. The 
program may also support educational institutions to serve as 
regional hubs to promote the program's objectives through 
regional education networks. The program is authorized at: $100 
million for FY 2010; $200 million for FY 2011; $300 million for 
FY 2012; $400 million for FY 2013; and $500 million for FY 
2014.
    S. 384 creates a new board, the Board for Higher Education 
Collaboration for Technology, Agriculture, Research, and 
Extension that replaces the existing Board for International 
Food and Agricultural Development (BIFAD). The Board is to 
advise the Administrator of USAID on the implementation of 
programs authorized in Title III of S. 384, and any other 
education-related programs established by the Administrator to 
fulfill the objectives of the Global Food Security Act. The 
Board is specifically tasked with reviewing the research foci 
of the Collaborative Research Support Program (CRSP) and their 
relevance in addressing hunger, malnutrition, agricultural 
productivity, and poverty alleviation.

    Improving Emergency Response to Food Crises. S. 384 creates 
an Emergency Rapid Response to Food Crises Fund to improve the 
timeliness of the U.S. response to food crises. The fund is in 
addition, and complementary, to food aid provided through the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture. The committee notes that U.S. 
food aid shipments can often take months after the start of a 
crisis to arrive in the affected region. The Rapid Response 
Fund would allow USAID to quickly engage at the onset of a 
crisis with the objective of preempting its escalation. Funds 
can be used for food and non-food assistance of an emergency 
nature; it is not for long-term support or development. Funds 
may be used for the local and regional purchase and 
distribution of food. Non-food assistance, in the form of 
vouchers, cash transfers, safety net programs or other 
appropriate non-food assistance of an emergency nature, may 
also be provided.
    S. 384 authorizes $500 million for the Emergency Rapid 
Response to Food Crises Fund that shall remain available until 
expended. Disbursements from the account must be reported to 
the appropriate congressional committees not later than 5 days 
prior to providing the assistance.

                           IV. COST ESTIMATE

    In accordance with Rule XXVI, paragraph 11(a) of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the committee provides this 
estimate of the costs of this legislation prepared by the 
Congressional Budget Office.

                            United States Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                    Washington, DC, April 29, 2009.

Hon. John F. Kerry,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Relations,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.

    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for S. 384, the Global Food 
Security Act of 2009.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is John Chin.
          Sincerely,
                                      Douglas W. Elmendorf.

                                ------                                

               Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate

                                                    April 29, 2009.

                                 S. 384

                    Global Food Security Act of 2009

  AS ORDERED REPORTED BY THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS ON 
                             MARCH 31, 2009

Summary

    S. 384 would amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to 
authorize appropriations for various programs to support 
sustainable agriculture, rural development, and improved 
nutrition, including the Collaborative Research Support Program 
(CRSP) and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural 
Research (CGIAR). The bill also would establish and authorize 
appropriations for two new programs: the United States 
Emergency Rapid Response to Food Crises Fund that would meet 
unexpected, urgent needs for food assistance; and the Higher 
Education Collaboration for Technology, Agriculture, Research, 
and Extension (HECTARE) program that would fund university 
partnerships to advance agricultural productivity and hunger 
alleviation in eligible countries.
    CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost about 
$6.5 billion over the 2010-2014 period, assuming appropriation 
of the authorized and estimated amounts. Enacting the bill 
would not affect direct spending or revenues.
    S. 384 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) 
and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal 
governments.

Estimated Cost to the Federal Government

    The estimated budgetary impact of S. 384 is shown in the 
following table. The costs of this legislation fall within 
budget function 150 (international affairs).

                              Changes in Spending Subject to Appropriation, S. 384
                                     By Fiscal Year, in Millions of Dollars
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       2010      2011      2012      2013      2014    2008-2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bilateral Agriculture Programs.....................
  Authorization Level..............................      750     1,000     1,500     2,000     2,500      7,750
  Estimated Outlays................................      131       417       744     1,143     1,587      4,022
Emergency Rapid Response to Food Crises............
  Estimated Authorization Level....................      500       400       420       416       417      2,153
  Estimated Outlays................................      125       400       420       416       417      1,778
University Partnerships for Agriculture............
  Authorization Level..............................      100       200       300       400       500      1,500
  Estimated Outlays................................        6        53       129       220       315        723
    Total Changes..................................
      Estimated Authorization Level................    1,350      ,600     2,220     2,816     3,417     11,403
      Estimated Outlays............................      262       870     1,293     1,779     2,319      6,523
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Basis of Estimate

    For this estimate, CBO assumes that the bill will be 
enacted near the end of fiscal year 2009, that the estimated 
amounts will be provided in annual appropriation acts each 
fiscal year, and that outlays will follow historical spending 
patterns for similar activities.
            Bilateral Agriculture Programs
    Title II would authorize appropriations of $750 million in 
2010 and $7.75 billion over the 2010-2014 period for programs 
that promote sustainable agriculture, rural development, and 
improved nutrition in developing countries. Of these amounts, 
the bill would annually make available up to $45 million for 
the CRSP and up to $50 million for the CGIAR to support 
established networks of U.S. universities and research centers 
around the world working on international food and agricultural 
research. CBO estimates that implementing these programs would 
cost $4 billion over the 2010-2014 period.
            Emergency Rapid Response to Food Crises
    Title IV would establish the United States Emergency Rapid 
Response to Food Crises Fund to meet unexpected, urgent needs 
for food assistance in developing countries. Title IV would 
authorize appropriations to the fund of $500 million in 2010 
and such sums as may be necessary in subsequent years, so long 
as the total unobligated amounts in the fund never exceed $500 
million. CBO estimates that 20 percent of appropriated amounts 
for the fund would remain unobligated in any given year, and 
thus CBO expects that about $400 million would be appropriated 
each year after 2010. CBO estimates that establishing the fund 
would cost $1.8 billion over the 2010-2014 period.
            University Partnerships for Agriculture
    Title III would authorize appropriations of $100 million in 
2010 and $1.5 billion over the 2010-2014 period to fund the 
HECTARE program, which would provide assistance to support 
agricultural research partnerships between U.S. universities 
and eligible institutions in developing countries. According to 
the United States Agency for International Development, the 
HECTARE program would expand on the CRSP program by allowing 
for greater flexibility in research funding for a broader range 
of food security issues. CBO estimates that implementing the 
HECTARE program would cost $723 million over the 2010-2014 
period.

Intergovernmental and Private-Sector Impact

    S. 384 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in UMRA. Public universities could benefit 
from the new program created by the bill that would provide 
assistance to partnerships between institutions of higher 
education and organizations in developing countries. The 
program would award grants and provide assistance with 
cooperative agreements and contracts. Any requirements for 
receiving assistance under that program would be conditions of 
receiving federal aid.

Estimate Prepared by:

Federal Costs: John Chin

Impact on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Marin Randall

Impact on the Private Sector: Burke Doherty

Estimate Approved by:

Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.

                   V. EVALUATION OF REGULATORY IMPACT

    Pursuant to Rule XXVI, paragraph 11(b) of the Standing 
Rules of the Senate, the committee has determined that there is 
no regulatory impact as a result of this legislation.

                      VI. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

    In compliance with Rule XXVI, paragraph 12 of the Standing 
Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by the bill, 
as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be 
omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in 
italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in 
roman).

The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    Sec. 103. Agriculture, Rural Development, and Nutrition.--
(a)(1) In recognition of the fact that the great majority of 
the people of developing countries live in rural areas and are 
dependent on agriculture and agricultural-related pursuits for 
their livelihood, the President is authorized to furnish 
assistance, on such terms and conditions as he may determine, 
for agriculture, rural development, and nutrition--
          (A) to alleviate starvation, hunger, and 
        malnutrition;
          (B) to expand significantly the provision of basic 
        services 
        to rural poor people to enhance their capacity for 
        self-help 
        [; and] ;
          (C) to help create productive farm and off-farm 
        employment in rural areas to provide a more viable 
        economic base and enhance opportunities for improved 
        incomes, living standards, and contributions by rural 
        poor people to the economic and social development of 
        their countries[.] ; and
          (D) to expand the economic participation of people 
        living in extreme poverty and those who lack access to 
        agriculturally productive land, including through 
        productive safety net programs and health and nutrition 
        programs, and to integrate those living in extreme 
        poverty into the economy;
          (E) to support conservation farming and other 
        sustainable agricultural techniques to respond to 
        changing climatic conditions and water shortages; and
          (F) to improve nutrition of vulnerable populations, 
        such as children under the age of two years old, and 
        pregnant or lactating women.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    Sec. 103A. Agricultural Research.--Agricultural research 
carried out under this Act shall (1) take account of the 
special needs of small farmers in the determination of research 
priorities, (2) include research on the interrelationships 
among technology, institutions, and economic, social, 
environmental, and cultural factors affecting small-farm 
agriculture[, and (3) make], (3) make extensive use of field 
testing to adapt basic research to local conditions[.], and (4) 
include research on biotechnological advances appropriate to 
local ecological conditions, including genetically modified 
technology. Special emphasis shall be placed on disseminating 
research results to the farms on which they can be put to use, 
and especially on institutional and other arrangements needed 
to assure that small farmers have effective access to both new 
and existing improved technology.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

         [Title XII--Famine Prevention and Freedom From Hunger

    [Sec. 296. General Provisions.--(a) The Congress declares 
that, in order to achieve the mutual goals among nations of 
ensuring food security, human health, agricultural growth, 
trade expansion, and the wise and sustainable use of natural 
resources, the United States should mobilize the capacities of 
the United States land-grant universities, other eligible 
universities, and public and private partners of universities 
in the United States and other countries, consistent with 
sections 103 and 103A of this Act, for: (1) global research on 
problems affecting food, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; 
(2) improved human capacity and institutional resource 
development for the global application of agricultural and 
related environmental sciences; (3) agricultural development 
and trade research and extension services in the United States 
and other countries to support the entry of rural industries 
into world markets; and (4) providing for the application of 
agricultural sciences to solving food, health, nutrition, rural 
income, and environmental problems, especially such problems in 
low-income, food deficit countries.
    [The Congress so declares because it finds--
          [(A)that the establishment, endowment, and continuing 
        support of land-grant universities in the United States 
        by Federal, State, and county governments has led to 
        agricultural progress with and through the private 
        sector in this country and to understanding processes 
        of economic development;
          [(B) that land-grant and other universities in the 
        United States have demonstrated over many years their 
        ability to cooperate with international agencies, 
        educational and research institutions in other 
        countries, the private sector, and nongovernmental 
        organizations worldwide, in expanding global 
        agricultural production, processing, business and 
        trade, to the benefit of aid recipient countries and of 
        the United States;
          [(C) that, in a world of growing populations with 
        rising expectations, increased food production and 
        improved distribution, storage, and marketing in the 
        developing countries is necessary not only to prevent 
        hunger and ensure human health and child survival, but 
        to build the basis for economic growth and trade, and 
        the social security in which democracy and a market 
        economy can thrive, and moreover, that the greatest 
        potential for increasing world food supplies and 
        incomes to purchase food is in the developing countries 
        where the gap between food need and food supply is the 
        greatest and current incomes are lowest;
          [(D) that increasing and making more secure the 
        supply of food is of greatest benefit to the poorest 
        majority in the developing world;
          [(E) that, with expanding global markets and 
        increasing imports into many countries, including the 
        United States, food safety and quality, as well as 
        secure supply, have emerged as mutual concerns of all 
        countries;
          [(F) that research, teaching, and extension 
        activities, and appropriate institutional and policy 
        development therefore are prime factors in improving 
        agricultural production, food distribution, processing, 
        storage, and marketing abroad (as well as in the United 
        States);
          [(G) moreover, that agricultural research abroad has 
        in the past and will continue in the future to provide 
        benefits for agriculture and the broader economy of the 
        United States and that increasing the availability of 
        food of higher nutritional quality is of benefit to 
        all;
          [(H) that there is a need to responsibly manage the 
        world's agricultural and natural resources for 
        sustained productivity, health and resilience to 
        climate variability; and
          [(I) that universities and public and private 
        partners of universities need a dependable source of 
        funding in order to increase the impact of their own 
        investments and those of their State governments and 
        constituencies, in order to continue and expand their 
        efforts to advance agricultural development in 
        cooperating countries, to translate development into 
        economic growth and trade for the United States and 
        cooperating countries, and to prepare future teachers, 
        researchers, extension specialists, entrepreneurs, 
        managers, and decisionmakers for the world economy.
    [(b) Accordingly, the Congress declares that, in order to 
prevent famine and establish freedom from hunger, the following 
components must be brought together in a coordinated program to 
increase world food and fiber production, agricultural trade, 
and responsible management of natural resources, including--
          [(1) continued efforts by the international 
        agricultural research centers and other international 
        research entities to provide a global network, 
        including United States universities, for international 
        scientific collaboration on crops, livestock, forests, 
        fisheries, farming resources, and food systems of 
        worldwide importance;
          [(2) contract research and the implementation of 
        collaborative research support programs and other 
        research collaboration led by United States 
        universities, and involving research systems in other 
        countries focused on crops, livestock, forests, 
        fisheries, farming resources, and food systems, with 
        benefits to the United States and partner countries;
          [(3) broadly disseminating the benefits of global 
        agricultural research and development including 
        increased benefits for United States agriculturally 
        related industries through establishment of development 
        and trade information and service centers, for rural as 
        well as urban communities, through extension, 
        cooperatively with, and supportive of, existing public 
        and private trade and development related 
        organizations;
          [(4) facilitation of participation by universities 
        and public and private partners of universities in 
        programs of multilateral banks and agencies which 
        receive United States funds;
          [(5) expanding learning opportunities about global 
        agriculture for students, teachers, community leaders, 
        entrepreneurs, and the general public through 
        international internships and exchanges, graduate 
        assistantships, faculty positions, and other means of 
        education and extension through long-term recurring 
        Federal funds matched by State funds; and
          [(6) competitive grants through universities to 
        United States agriculturalists and public and private 
        partners of universities from other countries for 
        research, institution and policy development, 
        extension, training, and other programs for global 
        agricultural development, trade, and responsible 
        management of natural resources.
    [(c) The United States should--
          [(1) effectively involve the United States land-grant 
        and other eligible universities more extensively in 
        each of the program components described in paragraphs 
        (1) through (6) of subsection (b);
          [(2) provide mechanisms for the universities and 
        public and private partners of universities to 
        participate and advise in the planning, development, 
        implementation, and administration of each component;
          [(3) assist such universities and public and private 
        partners of universities in cooperative joint efforts 
        with--
                  [(A) agricultural institutions in developing 
                nations;
                  [(B) regional and international agricultural 
                research centers;
                  [(C) multilateral banks and agencies 
                receiving United States funds;
                  [(D) development agencies of other countries; 
                and
                  [(E) United States Government foreign 
                assistance and economic cooperation programs;
          [(4) generally engage the United States university 
        community more extensively in the agricultural 
        research, trade, and development initiatives undertaken 
        outside the United States, with the objectives of 
        strengthening its capacity to carry out research, 
        teaching, and extension activities for solving problems 
        in food production, processing, marketing, and 
        consumption in agriculturally developing nations, and 
        for transforming progress in global agricultural 
        research and development into economic growth, trade, 
        and trade benefits for aid recipient countries and 
        United States communities and industries, and for the 
        wise use of natural resources; and
          [(5) ensure that all federally funded support to 
        universities and public and private partners of 
        universities relating to the goals of this title is 
        periodically reviewed for its performance.
    [(d) As used in this title, the term ``universities'' means 
those colleges or universities in each State, territory, or 
possession of the United States, or the District of Columbia, 
now receiving, or which may hereafter receive, benefits under 
the Act of July 2, 1862 (known as the First Morrill Act), or 
the Act of August 30, 1890 (known as the Second Morrill Act), 
which are commonly known as ``land-grant'' universities; 
institutions now designated or which may hereafter be 
designated as sea-grant colleges under the Act of October 15, 
1966 (known as the National Sea Grant College and Program Act), 
which are commonly known as sea-grant colleges; Native American 
land-grant colleges as authorized under the Equity in 
Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note); 
and other United States colleges and universities which--
          [(1) have demonstrable capacity in teaching, 
        research, and extension (including outreach) activities 
        in the agricultural sciences; and
          [(2) can contribute effectively to the attainment of 
        the objective of this title.
    [(e) As used in this title, the term ``Administrator'' 
means the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
International Development.
    [(f) As used in this title, the term ``public and private 
partners of universities'' includes entities that have 
cooperative or contractual agreements with universities, which 
may include formal or informal associations of universities, 
other education institutions, United States Government and 
State agencies, private voluntary organizations, 
nongovernmental organizations, firms operated for profit, 
nonprofit organizations, multinational banks, and, as 
designated by the Administrator, any organization, institution, 
or agency incorporated in other countries.
    [(g) As used in this title, the term ``agriculture'' 
includes the science and practice of activity related to food, 
feed, and fiber production, processing, marketing, 
distribution, utilization, and trade, and also includes family 
and consumer sciences, nutrition, food science and engineering, 
agricultural economics and other social sciences, forestry, 
wildlife, fisheries, aquaculture, floraculture, veterinary 
medicine, and other environmental and natural resources 
sciences.
    [(h) As used in this title, the term ``agriculturists'' 
includes farmers, herders, and livestock producers, individuals 
who fish and others employed in cultivating and harvesting food 
resources from salt and fresh waters, individuals who cultivate 
trees and shrubs and harvest nontimber forest products, as well 
as the processors, managers, teachers, extension specialists, 
researchers, policymakers, and others who are engaged in the 
food, feed, and fiber system and its relationships to natural 
resources.
    [Sec. 297. General Authority.--(a) To carry out the 
purposes of this title, the President is authorized to provide 
assistance on such terms and conditions as he shall determine--
          [(1) to implement program components through United 
        States universities as authorized by paragraphs (2) 
        through (5) of this subsection;
          [(2) to build and strengthen the institutional 
        capacity and human resources skills of agriculturally 
        developing countries so that these countries may 
        participate more fully in the international 
        agricultural problem-solving effort and to introduce 
        and adapt new solutions to local circumstances;
          [(3) to provide long-term program support for United 
        States university global agricultural and related 
        environmental collaborative research and learning 
        opportunities for students, teachers, extension 
        specialists, researchers, and the general public;
          [(4) to involve United States universities more fully 
        in the international network of agricultural science, 
        including the international agricultural research 
        centers, the activities of international organizations 
        such as the United Nations Development Program and the 
        Food and Agriculture Organization, multilateral banks, 
        the institutions of agriculturally developing nations, 
        and United States and foreign nongovernmental 
        organizations supporting extension and other 
        productivity-enhancing programs; and
          [(5) to provide program support for international 
        agricultural research centers, to provide support for 
        research projects identified for specific problem-
        solving needs, and to develop and strengthen national 
        research systems in the developing countries.
    [(b) Programs under this title shall be carried out so as 
to--
          [(1) utilize and strengthen the capabilities of 
        United States universities with public and private 
        partners of universities in--
                  [(A) developing capacity in the cooperating 
                nation for classroom teaching in agriculture, 
                plant and animal sciences, human nutrition, and 
                vocational and domestic arts and other relevant 
                fields appropriate to local needs;
                  [(B) agricultural research to be conducted in 
                the cooperating nations, at international 
                agricultural research centers, or in the United 
                States;
                  [(C) the planning, initiation, and 
                development of extension services through which 
                information concerning agriculture, 
                environment, and related subjects will be made 
                available directly to agriculturalists in the 
                agriculturally developing nations by means of 
                education and demonstration; or
                  [(D) the exchange of educators, scientists, 
                and students for the purpose of assisting in 
                successful development in the cooperating 
                nations;
          [(2) take into account the value to the United States 
        agriculture of such programs, integrating to the extent 
        practicable the programs and financing authorized under 
        this title with those supported by other Federal or 
        State resources, including resources of the private 
        sector, so as to maximize the contribution to the 
        development of agriculture in the United States and in 
        agriculturally developing nations; and
          [(3) whenever practicable, build on existing programs 
        and institutions including those of the universities, 
        the Department of Agriculture, State agricultural 
        agencies, the Department of Commerce, the Department of 
        the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the 
        Office of the United States Trade Representative, the 
        Food and Drug Administration, other appropriate Federal 
        agencies, and appropriate nongovernmental and business 
        organizations.
    [(c) To the maximum extent practicable, activities under 
this section shall--
          [(1) be directly related to the food and agricultural 
        needs of developing countries;
          [(2) focus primarily on the needs of agricultural 
        producers, rural families, processors, traders, 
        consumers, and natural resources managers;
          [(3) be adapted to local circumstances;
          [(4) be carried out within the developing countries 
        and transition countries comprising newly emerging 
        democracies and newly liberalized economies; and
          [(5) emphasize the improvement of local systems for 
        delivering the best available knowledge to the small 
        farmers of such countries.
    [(d) The President shall exercise his authority under this 
section through the Administrator.
    [(e) The Administrator shall establish and carry out 
special programs under this title as part of ongoing programs 
for child survival, democratization, development of free 
enterprise, environmental and natural resource management, and 
other related programs.
    [Sec. 298. Board for International Food and Agricultural 
Development.--(a) To assist in the administration of the 
programs authorized by this title, the President shall 
establish a permanent Board for International Food and 
Agricultural Development (hereafter in this title referred to 
as the ``Board'') consisting of seven members, not less than 
four to be selected from the universities. Terms of members 
shall be set by the President at the time of appointment. 
Members of the Board shall be entitled to such reimbursement 
for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties 
(including per diem in lieu of subsistence while away from 
their homes or regular place of business) as the President 
deems appropriate on a case-by-case basis.
    [(b) The Board's general areas of responsibility shall 
include participating in the planning, development, and 
implementation of, initiating recommendations for, and 
monitoring, the activities described in section 297 of this 
title.
    [(c) The Board's duties shall include, but not necessarily 
be limited to--
          [(1) participating in the formulation of basic 
        policy, procedures, and criteria for project proposal 
        review, selection, and monitoring;
          [(2) developing and keeping current a roster of 
        universities--
                  [(A) interested in exploring their potential 
                for collaborative relationships with 
                agricultural institutions, and with scientists 
                working on significant programs designed to 
                improve agricultural production, trade, and 
                natural resource management in developing 
                countries, and with private organizations 
                seeking to increase agricultural production and 
                trade, natural resources management, and 
                household food security in developing and 
                transition countries;
                  [(B) having capacity in the agricultural, 
                environmental, and related social sciences,
                  [(C) able to maintain an appropriate balance 
                of teaching, research, and extension functions,
                  [(D) having capacity, experience, and 
                commitment with respect to international 
                agricultural efforts, and
                  [(E) able to contribute to solving the 
                problems addressed by this title;
          [(3) recommending which developing nations could 
        benefit from programs carried out under this title, and 
        identifying those nations which have an interest in 
        establishing or developing agricultural institutions 
        which engage in teaching, research, or extension 
        activities;
          [(4) reviewing and evaluating memorandums of 
        understanding or other documents that detail the terms 
        and conditions between the Administrator and 
        universities and their partners participating in 
        programs under this title;
          [(5) reviewing and evaluating agreements and 
        activities authorized by this title and undertaken by 
        universities and public and private partners of 
        universities to assure compliance with the purposes of 
        this title;
          [(6) recommending to the Administrator the 
        apportionment of funds under section 297 of this title;
          [(7) assessing the impact of programs carried out 
        under this title in solving agricultural problems and 
        natural resource issues in the developing nations, 
        assuring efficiency in use of Federal resources, 
        including in accordance with the Governmental 
        Performance and Results Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-62; 
        107 Stat. 285), and the amendments made by that Act;
          [(8) developing information exchanges and consulting 
        regularly with nongovernmental organizations, consumer 
        groups, producers, agribusinesses and associations, 
        agricultural cooperatives and commodity groups, State 
        departments of agriculture, State agricultural research 
        and extension agencies, and academic institutions;
          [(9) investigating and resolving issues concerning 
        implementation of this title as requested by 
        universities; and
          [(10) advising the Administrator on any and all 
        issues as requested.
    [(d) The President may authorize the Board to create such 
subordinate units as may be necessary for the performance of 
its duties, including but not limited to the following:
          [(1) a Joint Policy Committee to participate in the 
        design and development of the collaborative activities 
        described in section 297; and
          [(2) a Joint Operations Committee which shall assist 
        in and advise on the mechanisms and processes for 
        implementation of activities described in section 297.
    [(e) In addition to any other functions assigned to and 
agreed to by the Board, the Board shall be consulted in the 
preparation of the annual report required by section 300 of 
this title and on other agricultural development activities 
related to programs under this title.
    [Sec. 299. Authorization.--(a) The President is authorized 
to use any of the funds hereafter made available under section 
103 of this Act to carry out the purposes of this title. Funds 
made available for such purposes may be used without regard to 
the provisions of sections 110(b) and 122(d) of this Act.
    [(b) Foreign currencies owned by the United States and 
determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to be excess to the 
needs of the United States shall be used to the maximum extent 
possible in lieu of dollars in carrying out the provisions of 
this title.
    [(c) Assistance authorized under this title shall be in 
addition to any allotments or grants that may be made under 
other authorizations.
    [(d) Universities may accept and expend funds from other 
sources, public and private, in order to carry out the purposes 
of this title. All such funds, both prospective and inhand, 
shall be periodically disclosed to the Administrator as he 
shall by regulation require, but no less often than in an 
annual report.
    [Sec. 300. Annual Report.--The President shall transmit to 
the Congress, not later than September 1 of each year, a report 
detailing the activities carried out pursuant to this title 
during the preceding fiscal year and containing a projection of 
programs and activities to be conducted during the subsequent 
five fiscal years. Each report shall contain a summary of the 
activities of the Board established pursuant to section 298 of 
this title and may include the separate views of the Board with 
respect to any aspect of the programs conducted or proposed to 
be conducted under this title.]

           Title XII--University Partnerships for Agriculture

SEC. 296. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
          (1) Agriculture has been a driver of economic growth 
        as the foundation of industry and commerce in developed 
        countries.
          (2) Institutions of higher education, including 
        vocational education, can promote a robust agriculture 
        sector through the dissemination of knowledge, the 
        building of human capital, research and technology, and 
        extension.
          (3) According to a World Bank study, higher education 
        contributes to national productivity, raises living 
        standards, and improves the ability of a country to 
        compete globally.
          (4) Enrollment rates in higher education are 5 
        percent in Africa, 10 percent in South Asia, 19 percent 
        in East Asia, and 23 percent in North Africa and the 
        Middle East.
          (5) Universities in the United States have a history 
        of serving as engines of development.
          (6) Many universities in the United States have 
        experience in partnering with foreign universities on 
        faculty and student exchanges, curriculum development, 
        joint research projects, and extension.
          (7) Land-grant universities and other universities in 
        the United States have demonstrated their ability to 
        cooperate with international agencies, educational and 
        research institutions in other countries, the private 
        sector, and nongovernmental organizations worldwide in 
        expanding global agricultural production, processing, 
        business and trade, and promoting better management of 
        agricultural and natural resources, including 
        adaptation to the effects of climate change, to the 
        benefit of aid recipient countries and the United 
        States.
          (8) Population growth will exert pressures on food 
        supplies and prices and require investments in 
        increased agricultural productivity, processing, 
        marketing, trade, research, extension, and technology 
        in order to provide food security, ensure health, and 
        build the basis for economic growth.
          (9) United States foreign assistance support for 
        higher education has declined from the 1990s.
          (10) Global food security is in the interest of the 
        United States because it promotes stability and 
        economic growth, increases trade opportunities, and 
        alleviates hunger and poverty.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this title is to authorize 
United States assistance that promotes food security, 
agriculture productivity, rural development, poverty and 
malnutrition alleviation, and environmental sustainability by 
engaging the expertise of United States institutions of higher 
education in collaboration with public and private institutions 
in developing countries.

SEC. 297. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
          (1) United states universities.--The terms ``United 
        States universities'' and ``United States institutions 
        of higher education'' mean those colleges or 
        universities in each State, territory, or possession of 
        the United States, or the District of Columbia--
                  (A) now receiving, or which may hereafter 
                receive, benefits under the Act of July 2, 1862 
                (commonly known as the First Morrill Act) (7 
                U.S.C. 301 et seq.), or the Act of August 30, 
                1890 (known as the Second Morrill Act) (7 
                U.S.C. 321 et seq.), which are commonly known 
                as ``land-grant'' universities;
                  (B) institutions now designated or which may 
                hereafter be designated as sea-grant colleges 
                under the National Sea Grant College and 
                Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1121 et seq.), which are 
                commonly known as sea-grant colleges;
                  (C) Native American land-grant colleges as 
                authorized under the Equity in Educational 
                Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-
                382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note); and
                  (D) other United States colleges and 
                universities that--
                          (i) have demonstrable capacity in 
                        teaching, research, and extension 
                        (including outreach) activities in the 
                        agricultural sciences; and
                          (ii) can contribute effectively to 
                        the attainment of the objective of this 
                        title.
          (2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means 
        the Administrator of the United States Agency for 
        International Development.
          (3) Public and private partners of universities.--The 
        term ``public and private partners of universities'' 
        includes entities that have cooperative or contractual 
        agreements with universities, which may include formal 
        or informal associations of universities, other 
        education institutions, United States Government and 
        State agencies, private voluntary organizations, 
        nongovernmental organizations, firms operated for 
        profit, nonprofit organizations, multinational banks, 
        and, as designated by the Administrator, any 
        organizations, institutions, or agencies incorporated 
        in foreign countries.
          (4) Agriculture.--The term ``agriculture'' means the 
        science and practice of activities related to food, 
        feed, livestock, or fiber production, processing, 
        marketing, distribution, utilization, and trade, and 
        encompasses the study and practice of family and 
        consumer sciences, nutrition, food sciences, forestry, 
        wildlife, fisheries, aquaculture, floraculture, 
        livestock management, veterinary medicine, and other 
        environmental and natural resource sciences.

SEC. 298. AUTHORITY.

    (a) In General.--In order to eradicate hunger and 
malnutrition, establish global food security, promote growth in 
agricultural productivity, trade expansion, and the sustainable 
use of natural resources, and alleviate poverty, the President 
is authorized to provide assistance on such terms and 
conditions as he may determine to implement program components 
through United States land-grant universities, other eligible 
universities, and public and private partners of universities 
in the United States and other countries, consistent with 
sections 103 and 103A of this Act, for the following purposes:
          (1) Research on problems affecting food, agriculture, 
        forestry, livestock, and fisheries.
          (2) Improved human capacity and institutional 
        capacity for the global application of agricultural and 
        related environmental sciences.
          (3) Agricultural development and trade research and 
        extension services to support the access of rural 
        populations to national and global markets.
          (4) The application of agricultural sciences to 
        solving food, health, nutrition, rural income, and 
        environmental problems, especially among chronically 
        food insecure populations.
    (b) Types of Support.--Assistance provided pursuant to this 
section may include support for--
          (1) continued efforts by international agricultural 
        research centers and other international research 
        entities to provide a global network, including United 
        States universities and foreign universities, for 
        international scientific collaboration on crops, 
        livestock, forests, fisheries, farming resources, 
        sustainable agricultural and land management 
        technology, and food systems of global importance;
          (2) long-term collaborative research support programs 
        between United States and foreign institutions of 
        higher education including the training of students, 
        teachers, extension specialists, and researchers;
          (3) broad dissemination of agricultural research 
        through extension, cooperatively with existing public 
        or private extension systems;
          (4) the participation of universities and public and 
        private partners of universities in programs of 
        multilateral banks and agencies that receive United 
        States assistance;
          (5) an expansion of learning opportunities about 
        agriculture for students, teachers, school 
        administrators, community leaders, entrepreneurs, and 
        the general public through international internships 
        and exchanges, graduate assistantships, faculty 
        positions, and other means of education and extension;
          (6) competitive grants to United States universities, 
        public and private partners of universities, and 
        universities in other countries for research, 
        institution and policy development, extension, 
        training, and other programs for global agricultural 
        development, trade and the responsible management of 
        natural resources; and
          (7) support for developing and strengthening national 
        agricultural research systems in developing countries.
    (c) Objectives.--Programs under this title shall be carried 
out so as to utilize the capabilities of United States 
universities to assist--
          (1) in developing institutional capacity in recipient 
        countries for classroom teaching in agriculture, plant 
        and animal sciences, human nutrition, vocational 
        training, extension services, and business training;
          (2) in agricultural research conducted in recipient 
        countries, at international agricultural research 
        centers, or in the United States;
          (3) in the planning, initiation, and development of 
        extension services through which information concerning 
        agriculture, farming techniques, environment, 
        nutrition, and related subjects will be made available 
        to farmers and farming communities in recipient 
        countries; and
          (4) in the exchange of educators, students, and 
        scientists for the purpose of assisting in successful 
        development in recipient countries.
    (d) Role of Administrator.--The President shall exercise 
his authority under this title through the Administrator.
    (e) Collaborative Research Support Program.--Of the amounts 
authorized to be appropriated under section 201(b) of the 
Global Food Security Act of 2009, up to $45,000,000 may be made 
available annually for the Collaborative Research Support 
Program for fiscal years 2010 through 2014.
    (f) Consultative Group on International Agricultural 
Research.--Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated under 
section 201(b) of the Global Food Security Act of 2009, up to 
$50,000,000 may be made available annually for core long-term 
research for the Consultative Group on International 
Agricultural Research for fiscal years 2010 through 2014.
    (g) Board for Higher Education Collaboration for 
Technology, Agriculture, Research, and Extension.--
          (1) Establishment.--The Administrator shall establish 
        a permanent Board for Higher Education Collaboration 
        for Technology, Agriculture, Research, and Extension 
        (referred to as ``Board'') for purposes of assisting 
        the Administrator in the administration of the HECTARE 
        Program, the Collaborative Research Support Program, 
        and all other manner of university engagement 
        authorized under this title.
          (2) Membership.--The Board shall consist of at least 
        7 members, of whom--
                  (A) not less than 4 shall be selected from 
                United States universities; and
                  (B) not less than 3 shall be selected from 
                representatives of nongovernmental 
                organizations or international education 
                consortia devoted to agriculture research and 
                education.
          (3) Duties.--The duties of the Board shall include 
        the following:
                  (A) Responsibility for advising the 
                Administrator on issues related to the 
                planning, implementation, and monitoring of 
                activities described in this title.
                  (B) Advising the Administrator on the 
                formulation of basic policy, program design, 
                procedures, and criteria for the HECTARE 
                Program.
                  (C) Advising the Administrator on the 
                qualifications of interested institutions of 
                higher education based on--
                          (i) their ability to work 
                        collaboratively to improve agricultural 
                        production, scientific research, and 
                        the dissemination of sustainable 
                        agricultural technologies;
                          (ii) their commitment to expanding 
                        and applying their academic, teaching, 
                        research, and outreach capacities; and
                          (iii) their commitment to partner 
                        with private organizations, civil 
                        society, other universities, and 
                        government entities.
                  (D) Advising the Administrator on which 
                countries could benefit from programs carried 
                out under section 299 and have an interest in 
                establishing or developing agricultural 
                institutions that engage in teaching, research, 
                or extension services.
                  (E) Making recommendations to the 
                Administrator on the means to improve the 
                effectiveness of activities authorized by this 
                title and undertaken by universities and public 
                and private partners of universities.
                  (F) Assessing the impact of programs carried 
                out under this title in solving agricultural 
                problems, improving global food security, 
                addressing natural resource issues, and 
                strengthening institutional capacity at foreign 
                university partners in developing countries.
                  (G) Reviewing issues concerning 
                implementation of this title as requested by 
                universities and making recommendations to the 
                Administrator on their resolution.
                  (H) Advising the Administrator on any and all 
                issues as requested.
          (4) Review of collaborative research support 
        program.--Not later than 1 year after the appointment 
        of the members of the Board, the Board shall conduct a 
        review of the Collaborative Research Support Program 
        (CRSP) with regard to the research focus of existing 
        CRSP activities and their relevance to addressing 
        hunger, malnutrition, agricultural productivity, and 
        poverty alleviation, and shall make recommendations to 
        the Administrator to strengthen the CRSP program.
          (5) Subordinate units.--The Administrator may 
        authorize the Board to create such subordinate units as 
        may be necessary for the performance of its duties.
          (6) Annual report consultation.--The Board shall be 
        consulted in the preparation of the annual report 
        required by section 299A and on other agricultural 
        development activities related to programs under this 
        title.
          (7) Term.--The terms of members shall be set by the 
        Administrator at the time they are appointed.
          (8) Reimbursement of expenses.--Members of the Board 
        shall be entitled to such reimbursement of expenses 
        incurred in the performance of their duties (including 
        per diem in lieu of subsistence while away from their 
        homes or regular place of business) as the 
        Administrator deems appropriate on a case-by-case 
        basis.

SEC. 299. HIGHER EDUCATION COLLABORATION FOR TECHNOLOGY, AGRICULTURE, 
                    RESEARCH AND EXTENSION.

    (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to provide 
United States assistance for the development of higher 
educational capacity in the field of agriculture in a manner 
that builds and strengthens institutional and human capacity of 
developing countries in the field of agriculture and related 
sciences, promotes entrepreneurship and economic growth in 
rural areas, increases agricultural productivity and 
sustainable agriculture, alleviates poverty and malnutrition, 
promotes nutritional diversity, and promotes good government 
through the participation of United States institutions of 
higher education.
    (b) Establishment of Program.--Not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
establish a program to be known as the Higher Education 
Collaboration for Technology, Agriculture, Research, and 
Extension (in this section referred to as the ``Program'' or 
``HECTARE'') for the purpose of providing assistance in support 
of policies and programs in eligible countries that advance 
hunger alleviation by increasing agricultural productivity and 
rural development through partnerships with institutions of 
higher education.
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
          (1) Assistance plan.--The term ``assistance plan'' 
        means a multi-year plan developed by the United States 
        Agency for International Development in coordination 
        with a foreign government or university to provide 
        assistance for agricultural education programs at a 
        country or regional level.
          (2) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the Board for 
        Higher Education Collaboration for Technology, 
        Agriculture, Research, and Extension.
          (3) HECTARE school.--The term ``HECTARE school'' 
        means an institution of higher education in an eligible 
        country that is designated as the lead educational 
        institution for purposes of a country or regional 
        assistance plan.
          (4) Eligible country.--The term ``eligible country'' 
        means a country that meets the requirements of 
        subsection (g).
    (d) Form of Assistance.--Assistance may be provided under 
this section in the form of grants, cooperative agreements, or 
contracts to or with eligible entities described in subsection 
(h) and shall be provided pursuant to assistance plans as 
described in subsection (f). Assistance may not be provided 
under this section in the form of loans.
    (e) Use of Funds.--Assistance provided under this section 
may be used to provide support to HECTARE schools or, where 
appropriate, other institutions of higher education in eligible 
countries for the following purposes:
          (1) Academic exchange programs for students, faculty 
        members, extension educators, and school administrators 
        with HECTARE schools, other institutions of higher 
        education, and United States universities.
          (2) Strengthening agricultural sciences curricula, 
        including vocational training.
          (3) Increasing research capacity, output, and 
        quality.
          (4) Improving the dissemination of information and 
        technology to farmers and others engaged in 
        agriculture.
          (5) Identifying leading educational institutions 
        uniquely able to serve as regional hubs to promote the 
        purposes specified in paragraphs (1) through (4) and 
        promoting cooperation between such institutions and 
        other educational institutions through regional 
        networks.
    (f) Assistance Plans--
          (1) In general.--The Administrator shall provide 
        assistance under this section pursuant to an assistance 
        plan developed in coordination with an eligible country 
        that establishes a multi-year plan for significantly 
        improving agricultural productivity and investing in 
        rural economies through the strengthening of 
        agricultural programs at institutions of higher 
        education.
          (2) Elements.--An assistance plan should--
                  (A) take into account the national 
                development strategy of the eligible country or 
                the participation of the eligible country in a 
                regional development strategy;
                  (B) identify an institution of higher 
                education for designation as a HECTARE school 
                that has programs in agricultural sciences;
                  (C) identify the partnership between the 
                HECTARE school and other institutions of higher 
                education that may include schools or research 
                institutions in the United States and foreign 
                countries, government agencies, including local 
                and regional governments, private business, and 
                civil society;
                  (D) identify appropriate channels for 
                dissemination of farming techniques to the 
                field; and
                  (E) identify the plans of the HECTARE school 
                for--
                          (i) conducting agricultural research 
                        and technology transfer and extension;
                          (ii) strengthening the teaching of 
                        agriculture science, including programs 
                        aimed at curriculum, faculty, and 
                        students;
                          (iii) improving university 
                        administration; and
                          (iv) establishing methods by which to 
                        engage with other institutions of 
                        higher education to fulfill the 
                        purposes of the Program.
    (g) Eligible Countries.--
          (1) Criteria.--The Administrator shall, in 
        consultation with the Board, identify eligible 
        countries for purposes of this section. Such 
        determination shall be based, to the maximum extent 
        possible, upon objective and quantifiable indicators of 
        a country's demonstrated commitment to the following:
                  (A) Investments in, and support for, rural 
                economies, including the protection of private 
                property rights, the promotion of private 
                sector growth and sustainable management of 
                natural resources, the rights of women, and the 
                well-being of women and children.
                  (B) Raising agricultural productivity of 
                small.--and medium-sized farms.
                  (C) Alleviating poverty and hunger among the 
                entire population.
                  (D) Strengthening the system of higher 
                education with regard to agricultural sciences, 
                teaching, research, and technology.
                  (E) The wide dissemination of farming 
                techniques, especially to small- and medium-
                sized farmers.
                  (F) Good governance, transparency, and anti-
                corruption policies.
          (2) Additional factors.--The Administrator, in 
        selecting eligible countries, shall consider--
                  (A) the extent to which the country clearly 
                meets or exceeds the eligibility criteria;
                  (B) the opportunity to increase agricultural 
                productivity, enhance human and institutional 
                capacity, and reduce hunger in the country;
                  (C) the availability of funds to carry out 
                this section;
                  (D) the percentage of the country's 
                population that faces chronic food insecurity; 
                and
                  (E) the existence of an institution of higher 
                education in a food secure country that can 
                serve as a regional hub for assistance to other 
                schools in need of assistance in countries 
                experiencing chronic food insecurity.
    (h) Eligible Entities.--Entities eligible for assistance 
under this section are the following:
          (1) United States universities working in partnership 
        with HECTARE schools in eligible countries.
          (2) HECTARE schools and other institutions of higher 
        education in eligible countries.
          (3) Nongovernmental organizations or private 
        entities.
    (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--Of the amounts 
authorized pursuant to the authorization of appropriations 
under section 201(b) of the Global Food Security Act of 2009, 
there is authorized to be appropriated to the President for the 
purpose of carrying out activities under this section--
          (1) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
          (2) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
          (3) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2012;
          (4) $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
          (5) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2014.
    (j) Disclosure of Funding Received by United States 
Universities.--The Administrator shall prescribe regulations 
providing for the utilization by United States universities of 
alternative sources of public and private funding to carry out 
the purposes of this title and requiring the disclosure, not 
less than annually, of all such alternative funding, both 
prospective and received.

SEC. 299A. ANNUAL REPORT.

    Not later than October 1, 2010, and annually thereafter, 
the President shall submit to Congress a report detailing the 
activities carried out under this title during the preceding 
fiscal year and containing a projection of programs and 
activities to be conducted in the following year.

                                  
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