Strong connections were illustrated between nutrition and agricultural yield, efficiency, sustainability and safety and quality. Dr. Dwyer highlighted the need for research that will improve the nation's dietary diversity, nutrition profiles, decrease malnutrition, and ensure sound nutrition over the long term through improved efficiency of plants and animals. While National C-FAR does not have a list of research project recommendations, through our members and their association with other related coalitions, we are well aware of urgent research needs to address and opportunities to explore. While several emerging needs and opportunities have been identified, we also want to stress the continuing need to build the capacity to do quality research and education , including human resources, infrastructure support, formula funds, and core programs. It is important to maintain a balanced portfolio of federal research and education programs, including competitive grants, formula funds and intramural programs.
Agriculture is a biologically based industry and many of the problems are site specific.
Hence, we need to maintain a diversified research and education system. Our coalition arose from a shared mutual concern about the capacity of our agricultural research system as a whole to meet the future demands and capitalize on emerging opportunities. We will need a research system that simultaneously satisfies needs for food quality and quantity, resource preservation, producer profitability and social acceptability. This coalition will be working on ways to help assure that these needs are met. Again, we appreciate the opportunity to share our views.