Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack outlined the USDA’s initiatives and investments in climate-smart agriculture and forestry, during the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference last week in Egypt.
“As we face down the dual crises of climate change and food insecurity, USDA recognizes that changes to our agriculture and food systems can only happen at the needed scale and speed if farmers are at the center of our solutions,” Vilsack said in a statement. “Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the United States is making unprecedented investments in innovative approaches to climate change adaptation and mitigation. USDA is proud to play a pivotal role through our new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, once-in-a-generation investments through the Inflation Reduction Act, and other initiatives that position American agriculture as a leader in delivering climate solutions through voluntary, incentive-based, market-driven, and collaborative approaches.”
During the event, Vilsack showcased the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, through which the USDA is investing in new revenue streams for climate-smart farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners. The initiative includes a $2.8 billion investment in 70 pilot products applying production practices with climate health in mind, and a $300 million investment focused on enrolling small and underserved producers info climate-smart practices.
The USDA also announced the establishment of an International Climate Hub to serve as a model for developing and delivering science-based, region-specific information and technologies to U.S. agricultural managers.
To help improve access to fertilizer across the world, the USDA announced two initiatives focused on advancing fertilizer efficiency and nutrition management, both in research and in practice.
The pathway to achieving net zero carbon emissions on dairy farming was also addressed. To continue the journey, the USDA awarded over $400 million to dairy-focused projects developing markets for climate-smart dairy. Additionally, $1 billion was mobilized in partnership with the State Department, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the Global Dairy Platform, and the International Food Policy Research Institute to accelerate dairy sector transformation in East Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
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