The astounding success of agricultural research has enabledfarmers to produce increasingly more—and more kinds—offood throughout the world. But with a projected 9 billion peopleto feed by 2050, veteran researcher Gale Buchanan fears thathuman confidence in this ample supply, especially in the US, hascreated unrealistic expectations for the future. Without a workingknowledge of what types and amounts of research producedthe bounty we enjoy today, we will not be prepared to supportthe research necessary to face the challenges ahead, includingpopulation growth, climate change, and water and energy scarcity.

In this book, Buchanan describes the historical commitment toresearch and the phenomenal changes it brought to our ability tofeed ourselves. He also prescribes a path for the future, pointingthe way toward an adequately funded, more creative agriculturalresearch system that involves scientists, administrators, educators,farmers, politicians, and consumers; resides in one “standalone” agency; enjoys a consistent funding stream; and operatesinternationally.