Support collaborative research between the university of puerto rico, state agricultural experiment station (saes) and other US saes, ARS, and universities to address problems that concern more than…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded $1,635,294 to the University of Puerto Rico, Estacion Experimental Agricola on October 1, 2025, under the Payments to Agricultural Experiment Stations Under the Hatch Act (CFDA 10.203).

The recipient conducts collaborative research with other State Agricultural Experiment Stations, the Agricultural Research Service, and universities to address agricultural problems spanning multiple states or insular areas. Research activities supported by this award include introduction and conservation of crop germplasm to address production constraints and establish new crops; development of registration data for pest management solutions for specialty crops; evaluation of irrigation systems and sustainable management practices to increase water productivity; characterization of food safety risks in food systems; implementation of sustainable and profitable agricultural systems that improve bean seed yield while conserving natural resources; provision of statistical education to the scientific community on modern methodology; assessment of heat stress impacts on animal performance and well-being; evaluation of cover crop germplasm for adaptability to sustainable agroecosystems; and assessment of emerging food system development issues. The research supports food security, plant and animal systems, food safety and science, community and economic development, and sustainable energy and natural resources management.

Stakeholders include farmers, rural communities, food-related industries, scientists, extension specialists, government officials, environmental advocates, students, and professors. Performance occurs in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with a period of performance from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. At least 25 percent of Hatch funds support cooperative projects addressing multistate problems, with funds allocated according to the statutory formula under the Hatch Act.

Support collaborative research between the university of puerto rico, state agricultural experiment station (saes) and other US saes, ARS, and universities to address problems that concern more than one state or insular area. Research activities in which puerto rico participates mainly support our food security, plant, and animal systems program, but also cover cooperative projects addressing critical issues in food safety, science and technology; community, economy, and sustainable development; and extreme weather, environment, natural resources & sustainable energy. Stakeholders of these programs comprise diverse audiences: farmers (including alternative producers in organic and agroecological farming), rural communities, food-related industries, scientists and extension specialists, government officials, members of the public concerned about the environment and conservation, students, and professors, among others. Cooperative projects supported by this grant include activities related to: (1) introduction and conservation of germplasm to address production constraints and to establish promising new crops; (2) development of data necessary for the registration of effective pest management solutions for important specialty crops; (3) evaluation of irrigation systems and sustainable management practices to increase water productivity; (4) characterization of food safety risks in food systems; (5) implementation of sustainable and profitable agricultural systems that improve bean seed yield, conserve natural resources and protect the environment; (6) provision of continuing statistical education to the scientific community on modern statistical methodology and its software implementation; (7) impact of heat stress on the performance and well-being of animals; (8) evaluation of cover crop germplasm for adaptability and contribution to sustainable agroecosystems; and (9) assessment of emerging issues specific to food system development in the southern region of the US. Deliverables from this broad range of activities include publication in peer reviewed journals and popular media outlets (newspapers, podcasts, social media); release of new crop cultivars incorporating resistance/tolerance to major biotic and abiotic stresses; a new web-based system for registered pesticides of tropical crops.