Twelve agricultural research projects based in North Carolina are benefiting from $1 million in grants from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service. The projects, awarded through the department’s Project Management section, aim to boost new crop production or involve innovative research to advance the agricultural economy in the state.
Since 2013, the General Assembly has allocated funding for an agricultural research grant program, beginning with a focus on bioenergy to combat drastically rising prices of conventional fuels. The scope expanded to include new crops and agricultural innovations.
The grants help researchers identify potential new crops, value-added products and agricultural innovations. That funding for agricultural research also supports marketing and education necessary to make the new crops or products commercially viable and profitable for North Carolina’s growers and agribusinesses.
“Investing in ag research is money well spent,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Every dollar invested returns around $20, which is significant. I’m also proud that our research stations collaborate with these researchers to provide a platform for most if not all of these projects.”
Source : ncagr.gov