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NIFA supports research, educational, and extension efforts in a wide range of scientific fields related to agricultural and behavioral sciences.

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    Second Annual Virtual Grants Support Technical Assistance Workshop
    Check out this five-day workshop in March 2024 workshop, designed to help you learn about NIFA grants and resources for grants development and management.

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    Plant HealthSharePrint Friendly Email Twitter Facebook
    
    Plants
      Crop Production
          Nematology
          Pest Management
          Plant Breeding
          Plant HealthHealthy plants are able to grow and produce in the face of environmental stress, pests, and competition. The nation’s food supply relies upon sufficient sources of healthy plants. A range of variables affect plant health, including the surrounding environment and the extent to which they are protected from pests and disease.

Importance of Plant Health

Healthy plants are vital to sustainable and profitable crop production and to the quality and cost of the nation’s supply of food, fuel, and fiber. Health is also critical to plants used for ornamentals, natural resources, and animal feed. Scientists are using innovative methods to breed more productive and nutritious crops. Advances in breeding and genetics are allowing farmers to grow plant varieties that are healthier and more resilient to drought and losses from pests and diseases.

NIFA’s Impact

NIFA programs support the development of strategies and innovative practices to achieve optimum crop productivity with minimal adverse environmental impacts. Scientists funded by NIFA are working with farmers and the agricultural industry to:

Breed plant varieties that are productive under various environmental conditions and better able to withstand pests and disease
	Identify and manage plant diseases
	Enable  crops to adapt to climate change and associated extremes of drought, flooding, temperatures and other stressors

  Programs
    Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants (BRAG) Program
              Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program
              Equipment Grants Program (EGP)
              From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals (NextGen)
              Plant Health and Production and Plant Products Program Area
              Urban, Indoor, and Emerging Agriculture

  Funding Opportunities
    Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development
              Specialty Crop Research Initiative
              Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) (Joint NSF) Competitive Grants Program
              Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Regional Host Institution
              Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Sustainable Agricultural Systems
              Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program Pre-Applications
              National Plant Diagnostic Network for the Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative
              Research Facilities Act Program Return to top
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