U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) on June 4 introduced a bipartisan bill to advance agricultural research through strengthening collaboration between the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The NSF and USDA Interagency Research Act, H.R. 8613, was introduced by Rep. Lucas and cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR) to deepen the research partnership between the two agencies and enhance agricultural sustainability.
Coming from a farming background, the congressman said he appreciates how science can help optimize limited resources to improve crop yields.
“The National Science Foundation will be pivotal in leveraging emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence and automation, to revolutionize farming practices and ensure a prosperous agricultural future. This partnership exemplifies how federal agencies can work together to drive innovation and address critical challenges that face our agricultural sector,” said Rep. Lucas, chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.
Amid wildfires and severe weather, Rep. Salinas said farmers and growers need the latest technology to stay profitable and adapt to climate change.
She said the bill “… would support our rural communities by developing agricultural-based science curricula for our schools and ensuring local producers can utilize and benefit from emerging technologies like AI. I thank Chair Lucas for his partnership on this legislation and look forward to championing it in Congress.”