The USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) made an investment of more than $146 million to improve climate-smart food and the countries robust agricultural system. The investment was provided by the NIFA (National Institute of Food and Agriculture) with their new program for a more sustainable agricultural system. The program should solve a wide range of challenges such as labor issues, Promoting land stewardship for the correct solution during climate changes and critical needs for our food and nutrition.
USDA led efforts for promoting the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM4C) will drastically increase public and private investments for climate-smart agriculture and food systems. This mission is backed by a number of countries worldwide and its tripled since the U.S. and the U.A.E. announced it at Pres. Biden’s Leaders’ summit back in April 2021.
Definition of the term “sustainable Agricultural” determined by (U.S. Code Title 7, Section 3103) – Integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will over the long-term:
- Satisfy human food and fiber needs
- Enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agriculture economy depends
- Make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls
- Sustain the economic viability of farm operations
- Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole
In Jan of this year the USDA’s NRCS service (Natural Resources Conservation Service) announced a few new and improved opportunities to the Climate Smart Agriculture Initiative:
- nationwide availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts option
- A new and streamlined EQIP Cover Crop Initiative
- Add flexibilities for producers to easily re-enroll in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
The extensions to the NRCS’ Work Lands Conservation Programs and the programs opportunity in all states combined are part of Biden-Harris broader effort to support Climate-Smart Agriculture. We can only hope that this plan works for the United States agricultural community.