NEWARK, NJ – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-NJ) today announced a $351,000 National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant to Rutgers University in New Brunswick to fund critical research focused on Crop Protection and Pest Management (CPPM).
“This is a great news for students and faculty at Rutgers, who work so tirelessly to learn and publish research on improving agriculture in New Jersey and all of the United States,” said Sen. Menendez. “This grant will fund critical research into how to best protect crops from pests and avoid using harmful pesticides on our food. Making scientific advances in pest control leads to a flourishing crop season and a thriving Garden State, so I’m proud to continue to advocate for Rutgers to receive these essential federal funds."
“Investing in research to develop alternative strategies to managing pesticides will help reduce our reliance on chemicals and improve the strength of our crops and food supply,” said Sen. Booker. “Rutgers is on the cutting edge of this research and this grant will help them continue to make strides in improving agricultural practices.”
NIFA grants are administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This grant will fund a study by Rutgers scientists entitled, “Crop Protection and Pest Management - Extension Implementation Program”
The CPPM program aims to respond to major challenges in food security by creating projects that focus on comprehensive approaches to food security that are economically viable, ecologically conscientious and above all, safe for human health. The CPPM program addresses pest management challenges (including insects, nematodes, pathogens, and weeds) with new and developing technologies. The CPPM has outcomes that not only improve crops and agriculture, but also encourage environmentally sound practices and strategies that support our communities in an affordable and effective way.
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