A study committee, assisted by science panels, will be appointed by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to lead the development of an innovative strategy for the future of food and agricultural research, answering the following questions:
What are the greatest challenges that food and agriculture is likely to face in the coming decades?
What are the greatest foreseeable opportunities for advances in food and agricultural science?
What fundamental knowledge gaps exist that limit the ability of scientists to respond to these challenges as well as take advantage of the opportunities?
What general areas of research should be advanced and supported to fill these knowledge gaps?
In the process of addressing these questions, the committee will gather insights from scientists and engineers in the traditional fields of science in food and agriculture, seek ideas from scientists in other disciplines whose knowledge, tools, and techniques might be applied to food and agricultural challenges, and organize interdisciplinary dialogues to uncover novel, potentially transformational, approaches to advancing food and agricultural science.
At the end of its exploration, the study committee will produce a consensus report recommending future research directions in food and agriculture. The committee will frame its recommendations in the context of the importance and relevance of the science to the public’s interest in the benefits of catalyzing knowledge creation--a sustainable food and fiber supply, better public health, a strengthened natural resource base, and the creation of new economic opportunities and jobs. Prior to its finalization, the report will be anonymously peer-reviewed, and revised by the study committee before release to the sponsors and the public.