The Importance of Agricultural Research
Planting a seed and watching it grow is not very hard. Anyone with access to sunshine, water and a bit of plant food can make this happen. But on a larger scale it becomes far more difficult. Plants are very susceptible to disease and drought. Farmers cannot give each plant individual attention. But they do not have to worry about this as much since agricultural research has led to the breeding of heartier plants that can withstand pests and diseases. Even new pesticides have been developed that are much safer to use for both the farmers and the people that will be eating the produce.
In the United States there is one agency that is responsible for most of the agricultural research that takes place. The USDA continuously gives grants and monies to researchers and scientists who work on new products or techniques. It is even through them that new trends in sustainable development have come to light. Now more farmers can use the land to their advantage without depleting it of its resources.
Food and agriculture often go hand in hand with some potentially deadly diseases. Two diseases in recent years that have greatly affected everyone across the world are Mad-Cow Disease and Avian Flu. Continuing research has helped scientists and doctor’s piece together how the viruses grow and mutate and how they pose a risk to humans. Local farmers now know what to look for and how to protect their animals should an outbreak occur. Even bacteria such as E. Coli are monitored by the USDA in case human contamination occurs. Doctors and researchers have to have the ability to trace the strains of the virus back to the originating plants and fields.
If you want a first hand glance at the work that the US Department of Agriculture is performing and researching, then you can visit their website at www.usda.gov. You can find a link to the Current Research Information System or CRIS. The site can provide you information on Avian Influenza, Mad-Cow Disease, Obesity/Weight Control or even Nanotechnology. No one can say that the researchers have been sitting on their laurels. They work every day to solve the problems that plague mankind and agriculture or farming.
The next time you bite into a hamburger or eat a salad, you can thank agricultural research for its hand in developing the safest food possible. You also can thank them for keeping the world updated on potentially dangerous viruses and diseases that could potentially harm millions of individuals. After you visit the website you will definitely have a greater appreciation for all that the researchers do.