Tampa Bay Times: Florida innovation, American farmers and a path to competitiveness | Column

Research that created new plant varieties has saved billions of lives around the world. Agricultural research in the U.S. also saves livelihoods, as well.

American farmers face global competition in the produce aisle. Labor challenges put them at a disadvantage. Innovations from research keep them competitive.

Part of the beauty of agricultural research as a tool to even the playing field in international trade is that it does not punish other nations. It only lifts ours. For example, research supports a Florida citrus industry that exported $23.4 million worth of orange juice just to Canada in 2023.

Our farmers are fiercely independent. They prefer to get paid by the market instead of by the government. All they ask is for a fair market that gives them a shot at making a living. Agricultural research gives farmers the tools, techniques and talent to be the world’s most efficient and environmentally sound producers.