The purpose of this funding is to conduct agricultural research programs at the university of puerto rico state agricultural experiment station

Supported research activities include the most important priorities local stakeholders identified in four critical issues: (1) food security, plant and animal production systems, (2) extreme weather, environment, natural resources & sustainable energy, (3) food safety, science and technology, and (4) community, economy, and sustainable development. Research efforts that help to improve the island's food security and the resiliency of our natural and socioeconomic systems were considered a priority. The regeneration of a sustainable food producing sector in the context of a changing climate and demographic challenges is our long-term goal. Stakeholders of our programs include a diversity of audiences: farmers, rural communities, food-related industries, scientists and extension specialists, government officials, environmental and conservation concerned public, students and professors, among others. Hatch supported activities include research on: (1) strategies to increase crop production, post-harvest crop management and improved marketing efficiency; evaluation of disease resistant crop varieties and practices for the management of vectors; introduction of new germplasm addressing production constraints, or promising new crops; evaluation of production under protected structures; continued surveillance of our current farming systems, and development of integrated management practices for major pests and diseases affecting our most important crops. (2) improvement in the biological efficiency of livestock production, establishment of improved forages, economic returns to producers, and practices that promote extreme weather resilience. Initiatives are focused in the characterization of slick-haired holsteins and senepol breeds. New projects are also geared at strengthening lamb production and meat quality. (3) successful adaptations to extreme weather events based on risk exposure assessments and agricultural biodiversity PR actices; issues related to soil quality and best management practices, mitigation of threats to water quality, micro irrigation technologies for water conservation and improved crop productivity, as well as the identification and protection of natural enemies of harmful insect pests; sustainable forestry; ecosystem recovery; and wetland ecosystems. (4) addressing the 2016 FDA's fsma requirements by stakeholders; development of new products and processing procedures that add value to local farinaceous crops, fruits, coffee, and milk. (5) identification of profitable niche markets for puerto rico's commodities through value added alternatives and differentiated products; technologies that can potentially improve labor productivity; strengthening local food systems through the identification of emerging issues, and policy alternatives; explore rural health indicators and links to agricultural production. Deliverables include publications in peer reviewed journals and popular media outlets (newspapers, podcasts, social media), guides and manuals, updated technological packages to produce local crops, detailed project reports with experimental data, workshops, field days and seminars, optimization of protocols for the management of different species, posters, and oral presentations at scientific and stakeholders' meetings depicting project results, among others. The technology produced through these research efforts and deliverables is expected to improve the island's food security and the viability and sustainability of the local food system. Expected outcomes include the stabilization or increase in the output of targeted commodities, the conservation and improvement of the soil and water resources of puerto rico, and the creation of new market niches that could impact the employment situation and well-being of rural communities.