SEA MISSION Mr. Chairman, the central mission of SEA remains unchanged, that is--to discover and develop new knowledge in the food and agricultural sciences and to disseminate and apply both new and currently available research information into practical use by our farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural producers and industries. These tasks are accomplished through efforts involving the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Land-Grant and non-Land-Grant Universities, business and industries, and private foundations. The results directly benefit all users and consumers of agricultural products. As you have often mentioned in the past, less than 4% of this country's population produces and provides the food and fiber needs of this country and the needs of numerous foreign countries. It is apparent that this imbalance of effort can only be made possible by the consistent success of America's food and agriculture system through the years, Clearly, outlays in food and agricultural science and education is one of the wisest public investments today. Studies show that returns on investments in production oriented agricultural research and education activities are consistently estimated at over 30 to 40 percent annually. Through superior efforts in the past, abundant, nutritious, healthful and safe foods are available to the citizens of this country at less cost than anywhere else in the world. Additionally, as Secretary Block testified to this Committee the other day, net agricultural exports are expected to reach $28-30 billion in fiscal year 1981. The Secretary also added that were it not for agricultural exports the US, would have had an estimated foreign trade deficit in 1980 of $50 billion. This feat is unparalled in the world!!! Appropriations made available in FY 1981 provided additional resources to bolster our food and agricultural productivity. Examples of specific Congressional authorization included resources for additional efforts in integrated pest management, plant germplasm, animal diseases, land and water resources, aquaculture, byssinosis, human nutrition etc. for both the Federal in-house and the State Cooperative programs. You can be assured that SEA is implementing these additional programs and responsibilities. and guidance of this Committee is very much appreciated. SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE Again, the support To sustain this excellence in agriculture we must include in our research agenda, new ways of maintaining and improving our technologies in agricultural production, processing, and marketing and distribution of products. I believe we can continue to produce an abundance of agricultural products and retain our position as principal contributors to world trade, without depleting our natural resources. I am confident that: о Enhancement of traditional methods used by geneticists coupled with gene A little better understanding of the basic processes that govern growth and reproduction will result in rapidly increasing plant and animal productivity. The development and application of improved systems will reduce costs of processing and marketing. THE CHALLENGE I believe you will agree that no task facing this nation is more complex or more important than that of increasing the ability of our food and agricultural system to produce, and to do so within a framework compatible with As we look to the future, the strategic importance of competing interests. agriculture takes on added significance in that: By the year 2000 our world's population will be about 40 percent larger and will, no doubt also require a doubling of food grain production. Our Nation depends upon massive agricultural exports to partially O Our cropland is losing about 2 billion tons of topsoil annually and millions of acres are lost to non-agricultural uses. O Our food and agricultural system is dependent upon petroleum fuel and dangerously vulnerable to international instability. O Our water supply for agricultural use is diminishing and faces increased competiton from energy and urban uses. Our need to improve human nutrition and consumer safety and to preserve and enhance our environment cannot be disregarded. Our production, distribution, and storage systems must continue to fight losses and leveling out of yields caused by insects, diseases, fungus, adverse weather, and obsolete technology. Our agricultural productivity in the past 10 years continued to increase, but at a slower rate than the previous 10-year period. Improved Mr. Chairman, these factors indicate that increasing our agricultural productivity must be one of the highest priorities for science and education programs. Now, more than ever, SEA's research and education programs must be coupled with those of our cooperators to find answers to diverse problems faced by this country's and the world's food and agriculture community. productivity can help us in the near-term to moderate the devastating impact inflation has on our standard of living and help our export products become competitive in foreign markets. The cadre of future agricultural educators and scientists with the expertise necessary to address the expanding frontiers of science must continue to be trained in our university system. FY 1982 BUDGET We formulated our FY 1982 Budget with keen awareness of these challenges. A total budget of $1,005,748,000 is proposed to maintain scientific and educational excellence in the area of food and agriculture. By major program activity, the total SEA proposal will provide: Agricultural Research $426.2 million, an increase of $23.6 million over 1981; 1981; Extension $232.5 million, an increase of $31.4 million over $305.1 million, an increase of $12.6 million over 1981; Human Nutrition - $32.5 million, an increase of $2.6 million over 1981; Technical Information Systems $9.4 million, an increase of $.5 million over 1981; and Higher Education $11.5 million funded under Bankhead-Jones eliminated. Overall, the total Budget proposed for the Science and Education Administration in FY 1982: о Will rise by $59.1 million above 1981. o Provides SEA and its State cooperators with additional monies to maintain high-priority programs at present levels. O Reflects a modest growth for research programs. Allows for accelerated growth for some high-priority programs designed to increase agricultural productivity and efficiency. O Supports work of other agencies who rely on research data to improve the quality of their action programs. O Addresses natural resource concerns in the areas of water use efficiency; pollution prevention; soil erosion; and conservation 77-802 0-81-11 |