The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced more than $16m in funding to support research, education and extension efforts to improve food production and enhance food security.
The grants are funded through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Food Security program.
NIFA director, Sonny Ramaswamy said "This funding will increase food security by improving agricultural production systems at the regional and national levels and by encouraging diverse agricultural production."
The goal of the AFRI Food Security challenge area in 2015 is to develop more sustainable, productive, and economically viable plant and animal production systems.
The programme will also focus on development of regionally-adapted crop cultivars and livestock breeds that contribute to rural economic development and prosperity.
