A recent study reveals that U.S. agriculture is confronting its first productivity slowdown in decades due to climate change and insufficient investment in research and development. Researchers estimate that to counteract this slowdown, an annual growth in research investment of 5% to 8% is essential, or an infusion of $2.2 billion to $3.8 billion annually. The urgency of action is compounded by the need for time to implement effective R&D practices. The study highlights the importance of timely investment to uphold agricultural productivity through 2050.
"We wanted to quantify how much climate change is slowing down productivity and find the compensating increase in R&D that would offset that slowdown," said senior author Ariel Ortiz-Bobea.
"We can do this, but the time is now," Ortiz-Bobea emphasized, underscoring the urgency of addressing climate change effects through enhanced research investment.
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