On May 9, the Senate Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on foreign operations, export financing and related programs included $30 million in its version of the FY 2001 foreign operations appropriations bill for the U.S. Agency for International Development (US AID) for plant genomics and plant biotechnology. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) called this action, designed to improve world health and nutrition, a positive move not only for Corn Growers and others involved in genomic and biotechnology research, but for humanity.

"In the past few years, there have been significant advances in basic plant science, primarily in genomics and biotechnology, leading the way to new hybrids and varieties that will improve human and animal health, reduce worldwide malnutrition by increasing yields and developing more nutritious crops, and reduce environmental problems for crop and livestock growers,'' said Boyd Smith, a farmer from York, Neb., and a member of the NCGA Customer and Business Development Action Team. "This subcommittee action will allow us to apply our work in the area of genomics to a better world.''

Specifically, the $30 million in funding, if approved by the full Senate and the House, would provide for the development of "golden'' rice, maize (corn), cassava, wheat, bananas, canola and other crops preferred in developing countries. "Golden rice'' and "golden maize'' can provide self- sustaining methods for addressing Vitamin A and iron deficiencies.

US AID can play a leading role in bringing this technology to developing countries. "If biotechnology is ever going to reach its full potential, the developing world must have complete access to the technology and have the ability to use it to solve local problems,'' said Smith. "NCGA believes that the agricultural program of the US AID should work with the international agricultural research centers, universities and the private sector to develop crops that will improve infant and child health and nutrition and reduce infant and child mortality.'' He added that only scientists and plant breeders working in the developing world truly understand the specific needs of local farmers and their customers. "It is critical that these scientists and plant breeders are empowered to develop varieties and hybrids that meet the needs of the local populations.''

In praising the work of the subcommittee, Smith also thanked Sen. Christopher "Kit'' Bond (R-Mo.), a subcommittee member and historically a champion of plant genomics. "Sen. Bond's leadership in this area furthers the causes of organizations like US AID and NCGA that are working to ensure that developing countries have access to and reap the full benefits of plant biotechnology,'' Smith said.

The National Corn Growers Association mission is to create and increase opportunities for corn growers in a changing world and to enhance corn's profitability and usage. NCGA represents more than 30,000 members, 24 affiliated state corn grower organizations and hundreds of thousands of growers who contribute to state checkoff programs. 

NCGA news release
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