U.S. Universities and the World Food Problem
Morris D. Whitaker 1 and
E. Boyd Wennergren 2
1 Assistant professor in the Department of Economics, Utah State University, Logan 84322
2 Professor in the Department of Economics, Utah State University, Logan 84322
The imponderable now is time. Certainly, it is in short supply if we hope to improve the world's prospects for food production. The requisite scientific skills that can contribute to greater world agricultural production exist in a uniquely concentrated form in the U.S. universities. Incentives for increased university involvement in technical assistance created by the International Development and Food Assistance Act of 1975 will not become effective until a mechanism which guarantees adequate and long-term funding is established. A continuing dialogue to define the nature and scope of needed reforms is necessary if maximum involvement of U.S. scientists in agricultural technical assistance is to be realized. Such involvement is vital in meeting the food needs of the developing world.
