Topic: International Affairs — Foreign Aid
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2009-02-05 00:00:00

Global Food Security Act of 2009 - Title I: Policy, Objectives, Planning, and Coordination - (Sec. 101) States that it is U.S. policy to promote global food security, improve agricultural productivity, and support the development of institutions of higher learning. (Sec. 102) Directs the President to designate an individual to serve as the Special Coordinator for Food Security to advise the President on international food security issues and oversee implementation of a comprehensive food security strategy. (Sec. 103) Directs the President to report to the appropriate congressional committees annually through 2014 regarding such strategy's implementation. Title II: Bilateral Programs - (Sec. 201) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize FY2010-FY2014 appropriations for programs of agriculture, rural development, and nutrition. Expands the scope of such assistance to include: (1) conservation farming; (2) nutrition for vulnerable populations; and (3) economic integration of persons in extreme poverty. (Sec. 202) Expands the scope of agricultural research to include biotechnological advances appropriate to local ecological conditions. Title III: University Partnerships for Agriculture - (Sec. 301) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to provide assistance through U.S. land-grant universities, other eligible universities, and public and private partners of universities in the United States and other countries for: (1) research on problems affecting food, agriculture, forestry, livestock, and fisheries; (2) improved human and institutional capacity for the global application of agricultural and related environmental sciences; (3) agricultural development and trade research and extension services to support rural population access to national and global markets; and (4) application of agricultural sciences to solving food, health, nutrition, rural income, and environmental problems. Permits certain of such funds to be made available for: (1) the collaborative research support program; and (2) the consultative group on international agricultural research. Directs the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish a permanent Board for Higher Education Collaboration for Technology, Agriculture, Research, and Extension to assist in the administration of the HECTARE program, the Collaborative Research Support Program, and other university activities under this title. Directs the Administrator to establish the Higher Education Collaboration for Technology, Agriculture, Research, and Extension (HECTARE) program to provide assistance (grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts) for policies and programs in eligible countries that advance agricultural productivity and hunger alleviation through partnerships with institutions of higher education. Authorizes FY2010-FY2014 appropriations. Title IV: Emergency Rapid Response to Food Crisis - (Sec. 401) Authorizes the President to provide assistance under this Act or the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for unexpected urgent food assistance needs. Establishes a United States Emergency Rapid Response to Food Crisis Fund to carry out such purposes. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 402) Authorizes FY2010 appropriations to carry out this title.