Our Research Focuses on:
- Crop Diversification
- Crop Resiliency
- Accelerated Breeding Methodologies
- Advancing novel, nutritious, profitable and resilient farm crops.
Learn more about our Next Generation Crop’s research goals.
Advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals
Next Generation Crops supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), 17 global goals to enhance peace and prosperity, eradicate poverty and protect the environment. Specifically, this research bolsters the following SDGs:
Why is FFAR Tackling Next Generation Crops?
In the US, we grow large quantities of corn and soy. With significant acreage devoted to same crop, pests, pathogens and environmental changes – including heat, drought, frost and freeze – can cause dramatic crop losses. Furthermore, climate change allows for harmful pests and pathogens to thrive.
Yet, growing a variety of crops can mitigate these risks, as some crops are less susceptible to pests, pathogens and environmental changes.
Crop diversity creates greater economic security for farmers, offers environmental benefits and can increase food security. Farmers growing a range of crops can sell to multiple markets and supply chains. Some crops can improve soil, filter water and reduce climate emissions. While much of the corn and soy crops are used for energy, animal feed, or exported abroad, crop diversity can increase food crops and food security.
The Next Generation Crops research provides farmers with novel, nutritious and profitable crop options. The research advances breeding technologies and management practices that create new economic opportunities. Ultimately, this research improves crops’ resilience to climate change.
