Download Karl Glasener Director of Science Policy American Society of

American Society of Agronomy | Crop Science Society of America | Soil Science Society of America
5585 Guilford Road • Madison, WI 53711-5801 • Tel. 608-273-8080 • Fax 608-273-2021
www.agronomy.org • www.crops.org • www.soils.org
Karl Glasener
Director of Science Policy
American Society of Agronomy
Crop Science Society of America
Soil Science Society of America
Phone: 202\256-6616
Email: [email protected]
Point of contact: Karl Glasener (same as above)
March 29, 2010 —BY E-mail to [email protected]
Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Committee on Appropriations
HB-26 Capitol Hill Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Lowey, Ranking Member Granger, and Members of the Subcommittee,
The American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America
(CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) are pleased to submit the
following funding recommendations for FY 2011 (FY11). ASA, CSSA, and SSSA
understand the challenges the House State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Appropriations Subcommittee faces with the tight budget constraints for FY11. We also
recognize that the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bill
has many valuable and necessary components, and we applaud the efforts of the
Subcommittee to fund critical work on food security and agricultural development around
the world.
For FY 2011, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA urge the Subcommittee to show strong support for
CGIAR and CRSP. A strong level of funding will enable these programs to continue to
fund worthy projects that promote global security, climate change adaptation, and an end
to hunger and malnutrition.
With more than 25,000 members and practicing professionals, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA
are the largest life science professional societies in the United States dedicated to the
agronomic, crop and soil sciences. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA play a major role in
promoting progress in these sciences through the publication of quality journals and
books, convening meetings and workshops, developing educational, training, and public
information programs, providing scientific advice to inform public policy, and promoting
ethical conduct among practitioners of agronomy and crop and soil sciences.
USAID
CGIAR
The Consultative Group on International Agriculture (CGIAR) has been one of the main
food-security programs funded by USAID for forty years. Many organizations central to
agricultural development participate in CGIAR, including the International Food Policy
Research Institute (IFPRI) and the International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry
Areas (ICARDA). CGIAR funds core agricultural research that has allowed hundreds of
millions of people in the developing world to escape hunger and malnutrition. Research
funded through this program is also relevant to the U.S.; CGIAR scientists continue to
develop crop strains that can resist evolving pests, as well as varietals and agricultural
techniques that will allow farmers to adapt to climate change. Investment in agricultural
research has one of the highest payouts– every dollar spent on research produces $9
worth of food in developing countries. Despite these benefits, CGIAR has suffered from
severe funding cuts in recent years and was only sustained in FY08 by the 2008
Supplemental Appropriations Act for Development Assistance. We urge Congress to
restore funding to this program.
CRSP
Collaborative Research Support Programs (CRSPs) fund projects through the land grant
and other eligible universities to address international development needs, as well as
agricultural issues in the U.S. As the population grows and climate shifts, stresses on
agriculture will increase, meaning that only with the aid of agricultural research and
development will people be able to feed themselves. This marks a big shift in agriculture
in recent decades, which could not have taken place without the aid of government
funding. Many different entities contribute internationally to this program, from U.S.
federal agencies and American universities, to NGOs, International Agricultural Research
Centers (IARCs), and developing countries themselves.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of our requests. For additional information
or to learn more about the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of
America, and Soil Science Society of America (ASA, CSSA, and SSSA ), please visit
www.agronomy.org, www.crops.org or www.soils.org or contact ASA, CSSA, and SSSA
Director of Science Policy Karl Glasener ([email protected]).