76 



An organizational struclure ensuring research program accountability and 

 coordination. 



Ability to focus research on gaps in knowledge that are barriers to problem solution. 



Capability to form, disband, or coordinate interdisciplinary or mullilocation research 

 teams from a large, diverse scientific workforce of over 2.600 research scientists, 

 including postdoctoral research associates. 



Challenges of the 

 1990's 



Issues critically imponani to ARS' research mission include: 



Environment. Public concern has increased about effects of air and water pollution on the 

 environment, depletion of nonrenewable resources, waste management, and potential 

 effects of global warming. At issue is the role of the agricultural sector as a contributor to 

 or solver of environmental problems contrasted with the need to sustain supplies of 

 agricultural products for domestic consumption and export. 



Food Safety. Human Nutrition, and Health. Public concern over chemical and biologi- 

 cal contamination of food during production and processing continues, with more recent 

 concern over the safety of biotechnology products. Another concern is the relationship 

 between diet and health, which is compounded by the complexities of nutrition. 



National Economy. Since the U.S. share of the agricultural expon market has slipped 

 from peak levels in 1980-1981. lowering costs, adding value, and improving quality of 

 U.S. agricultural products are potential ways to reduce the trade deficit, boost U.S. market 

 share, and otherwise enhance U.S. agricultural competitiveness. 



Scientific and Tectinlcal Approacties. Scientific research is changing, driven by major 

 trends: 



• Increased use of biotechnology, interdisciplinary teams, and computer automation. 



• Increased dependence of the private sector on public research capabilities, particularly 

 for fundamental and pre-market research. 



• More effective transfer of new knowledge and technologies to users or funher 

 developers. Public/private sector research collaboration is a growing component of 

 this positive trend. 



ARS Response to 

 These Challenges — 

 The Implementation 

 Plan 1992-1998 



The research challenges of the 1990"s have critical policy, program, and operational 

 implications for ARS. Section II broadly describes ARS progress in implementing strate- 

 gies and program priorities laid out in the previous versions of the plan and profiles current 

 (1991 ) ARS base resources — funding, personnel, and facilities. Program priorities are 

 identified as areas of research emphasis in section III. Section IV describes how ARS will 

 implement its program within the limits of its fiscal, human, and physical resources. 



