Vilsack defends research spending as Farm Bill knives sharpen

摘要

The complicated problem of feeding a global population of nine billion people by 2050 cannot be solved simply by debating the importance of organic, sustainable or conventional agriculture, but by focusing on a greater investment in agricultural research.That was the key message delivered by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack during his 20-minute presentation at an event sponsored by the National Journal Wednesday morning, at the Newseum, in Washington, D.C.As Congress prepares to deliberate the 2012 Farm Bill, Vilsack said he's concerned that some cuts will be made to agricultural research programs, which provide a $20 return on every dollar invested.