USDA and Israel Sign Agreement on Cooperative Research

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MOARD) of the State of Israel will collaborate on a five-year research to meet the world's food and fiber needs and address other agricultural issues.

"As the world's population continues to grow, there is an urgent need to maximize 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 United States and Israel and further our shared efforts in meeting current and future agricultural challenges with the development of innovative management practices and technologies."

Research will be on agricultural development issues such as climate change, international food security, alternative energy production, precision agriculture, sustainable natural resources management, capacity building and rural development.

Check out the ARS news at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr