Strategic Planning for New‐Crop Development

Abstract

The high cost of chronic agricultural commodities surpluses justifies immediate national attention to strategic planning and the development of new crops. The need is urgent to diversify the crop plant base from which the U.S. generates its annually renewable wealth. The technological tools and plant resources are available, but as yet, neither adequate federal appropriations nor a sufficiently forceful Congressionally authorized management entity has been forthcoming. The Foundation for New Farm and Forest Products has been proposed as an essential institutional change for orderly development and commercialization of profitable new crops to diversify U.S. agriculture.