PUBLIC LAW 97-98—DEC. 22, 1981
95 STAT. 1295
the Federal Government and the States, as consummated in legislation and cooperative agreements, and the cooperative nature of efforts to implement this policy in cooperation with the food and agricultural industry has been eminently successful. Cooperative research, extension, and teaching programs have provided the United States with the most proiductive and efficient food and agricultural system in the world. This system is the basis of our national affluence and it provides vast amounts of food and fiber to other people around the world. However, the food and agricultural system is dynamic and constantly changing. The research, extension, and teaching programs that support the food and agricultural system must be maintained and constantly adjusted to meet ever c h a n ^ g challenges. National support of cooperative research, extension, and teaching efforts must be reaffirmed and expanded at this time to meet major needs and challenges in the following areas: "(A) FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM PRODUCTIVITY.—
Increases in agricultural productivity have been outstanding, however, productivity growth in the past decade has slowed. It is imperative that improved technologies and management systems be developed to maintain and enhance agricultural productivity in order for agricultural production in the United States to meet the demand of a rising world population, rising costs of production, and limitations on energy consumption. Improved productivity in food and agricultural processing and marketing sectors is a critical need in the national effort to achieve a strong economy. "(B) DEVELOPMENT OF NEW FOOD, FIBER, AND ENERGY
SOURCES.—Programs to identify and develop new crop and animal sources of food, fiber, and energy must be undertaken to meet future needs. "(C) AGRICULTURAL ENERGY USE AND PRODUCTION.—
Much of the current agricultural technology is relatively energy intensive. It is critical that alternative technologies be developed to increase agricultural energy efficiency and to reduce dependence on petroleum based products. Furthermore, agriculture provides the United States with alternative potential sources of energy that must be assessed and developed. "(D) NATURAL RESOURCES.—Improved management and conservation of soil, water, forest, and range resources are vital to maintain the resource base for food and fiber production. An expanded program in the area of soil and water conservation research is needed to develop more economical and effective conservation systems. Five key objectives of this research are: "(i) sustaining soil productivity;
- (ii) developing more cost-effective and practical conservation technologies;
"(iii) managing water in stressed environments; "(iv) protecting the quality of the Nation's surface water and groundwater resources; and "(v) establishing integrated multidisciplinary organic farming research projects designed to foster the implementation of the major recommendations of the Department of Agriculture Report and Recommendations on Organic Farming, July 1980.
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