Biotech Updates

PCAST Report Addresses Agricultural Challenges

December 19, 2012

In December  2012, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) submitted a comprehensive report to the US President on "The Agricultural Preparedness and the Agriculture Research Enterprise". The report addresses the challenges faced by US agriculture including: 

  • Managing new pests, pathogens, and invasive plants 
  • Increasing the efficiency of water use
  • Reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture
  • Growing food in a changing climate
  • Managing the production of bioenergy
  • Producing safe and nutritious food
  • Assisting with global food security and maintaining abundant yields

 A copy of the full report is available online on the White House website: http://m.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/pcast_agriculture_20121207.pdf.