WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV News) — USDA is investing $180 million in a new Seed Sovereignty Initiative aimed at strengthening U.S. agricultural security by expanding research and use of plant genetic resources held in federal collections.
The funding will support USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and National Plant Germplasm System, which holds more than 600,000 plant and seed samples representing over 16,000 species. USDA plans to sequence major crop collections and identify gaps in domestic genetic resources.
Over the next two years, researchers will characterize and sequence collections and use technologies including artificial intelligence to identify valuable traits. USDA says the work could speed development of crop varieties with stronger resistance to pests, diseases and other production challenges.
The agency is also expanding a memorandum of understanding with the Justice Department focused on competition in agricultural input markets, including seeds. USDA says the effort is intended to improve transparency, competition and farmer choice.
The American Seed Trade Association welcomed the investment, saying stronger public germplasm resources can support plant breeding, research and future seed development.
