August 12, 2010

Officials with the USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MOARD) of the State of Israel have signed a formal agreement in Washington, DC, to collaborate on research to meet the world's food and fiber needs and address other high-priority agricultural issues.

Under the five-year agreement, scientists with ARS and MOARD will conduct cooperative research focusing on key bilateral and global agricultural development issues such as climate change, international food security, precision agriculture, capacity building and rural development.

Specific areas of interest include animal production, aquaculture, horticulture, food safety and quality, water management and technology, sustainable agriculture, integrated pest management and post-harvest management of agricultural commodities.

"As the world's population continues to grow, there is an urgent need to maximise the efficiency and environmental sustainability of agricultural production around the globe," said ARS Administrator Edward B. Knipling.

"This agreement will facilitate partnerships between scientists in the US and Israel and further our shared efforts in meeting current and future agricultural challenges with the development of innovative management practices and technologies."

The new agreement will complement existing collaborative research activities supported by the US-Israel Bi-national Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD), a programme that was created in 1978. To date, BARD-sponsored research has led to new technologies in drip irrigation, pesticides, fish farming, livestock, poultry, disease control and farm equipment.