An annual review of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative's funding and work to support research, education, and extension as well as integrated programs by awarding grants that address key problems of national, regional, and multi‐state importance in sustaining all components of agriculture.
USDA NIFA Approach
AFRI, with its broad funding portfolio, addresses every facet of agriculture, including food production, farming and ranching, renewable energy, aquaculture, nutrition, forestry, food safety, rural communities, farm efficiency and profitability, and traditional and innovative breeding techniques. AFRI advances fundamental sciences as well as translational research and development in support of agriculture and coordinates research opportunities to build on these new discoveries.
In addition, AFRI-awarded programs deliver this science to communities through extension programs, which allows the public to make informed decisions that impact their daily lives.
With the world’s population expected to exceed nine billion by 2050, NIFA works to solve the challenges of meeting the food, clothing, fuel, and shelter needs of all people. In order for NIFA to address these critical issues, we partnered with food and agricultural scientists and educators with expertise in: plant health and production and plant products; animal health and production and animal products; food safety, nutrition, and health; bioenergy, natural resources, and environment; agricultural systems and technology; and agricultural economics and rural communities.
NIFA partners with the scientific community to provide federal financial assistance grants to address critical issues in United States agriculture in the areas of:
- global food security
- water for agriculture
- childhood obesity prevention
- food safety
- sustainable bioenergy
- climate change
