AR, LA, MS: Scientists develop climate resilient rice as part of $10M USDA grant
Scientists at Mississippi State University are part of a multi-institutional, $10 million USDA NIFA effort to improve the sustainability and profitability of rice farming in the face of climate change. Louisiana State University is the lead institution on the grant. Other partners include the University of Arkansas and Texas A&M University.
According to the LSU AgCenter, the specific project objectives are to assess the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of current crop management practices, identify barriers to adopting novel technologies and practices, develop novel genotypes with enhanced tolerance to biological and environmental stressors, develop and optimize environmentally friendly crop management practices and implement a robust extension program to disseminate the concepts and benefits of sustainable farming techniques.
The grant is part of a $70 million investment from USDA to establish robust, resilient and climate-smart food and agricultural systems.