Trump Farmers: Trade War Impact
- Agency for International Progress (USAID) programs are raising concerns about global food security and the future of American agricultural research.
- one area of concern is the resurgence of the sugarcane aphid, a tiny insect that can devastate sorghum crops.
- The cuts have affected various institutions, including the University of Georgia, Penn State, Washington State, and Purdue, impacting research on peanut-seed production, potato diseases, wheat, and foodborne pathogens.
USAID funding cuts are severely impacting global food security and american agriculture, particularly threatening vital sorghum crops. research programs are facing shutdowns, which jeopardizes efforts to combat pests and develop climate-resilient farming practices. This affects institutions like Kansas State University and puts U.S. farmers at a competitive disadvantage. The Food for Peace program is under threat,impacting food security initiatives worldwide. These decisions and recent events have set the stage for rising food insecurity. News Directory 3 reveals how the situation places our farmers in a pinch. How will these changes affect American agriculture and our ability to feed the world? Discover what’s next …
USAID Cuts Threaten sorghum Crops and Food Security
updated June 10, 2025
Recent cuts to U.S. Agency for International Progress (USAID) programs are raising concerns about global food security and the future of American agricultural research. The reductions have impacted labs studying climate resilience, crop protection, and efficient irrigation, potentially jeopardizing sorghum crops and other vital food sources.
one area of concern is the resurgence of the sugarcane aphid, a tiny insect that can devastate sorghum crops. While Kansas State University scientists previously identified a gene to combat the pest, ongoing research is crucial to maintaining that advantage. Timothy J. Dalton, an agricultural economist at Kansas State, emphasized the importance of these programs for equipping farmers with the tools they need in a changing world.
The cuts have affected various institutions, including the University of Georgia, Penn State, Washington State, and Purdue, impacting research on peanut-seed production, potato diseases, wheat, and foodborne pathogens. The food security implications extend globally,with terminated projects affecting malaria,tuberculosis,maternal health,and clean water initiatives.
Gary White, a sorghum farmer in Kansas, expressed concern that the “noble cause” of feeding the needy might be lost. andy Hineman, another kansas farmer, highlighted the diplomatic value of the Food for Peace program, which supports both U.S. farmers and vulnerable populations. Isobel Coleman, former USAID deputy administrator, lamented the richest contry in history not prioritizing generosity toward the world’s most vulnerable.
“By killing these programs, you’re putting america at a competitive disadvantage. You’re setting farmers up to not have the tools they need to survive in a changing world.”
A State Department official stated the administration will prioritize resources made and grown by American farmers. However, supporters in Congress are attempting to restore funding to the Food for Peace program and move it under the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Dalton, who previously taught in Kenya and studied rice farming in Côte d’Ivoire, believes that americans will become more vulnerable without international research partnerships. He warned that the U.S. is losing its advanced edge in agricultural research to countries like China.
Vara Prasad, an agronomist, lost a $50 million grant devoted to climate resilience, leading to staff layoffs and scholarship losses. He emphasized that the lessons from his lab’s work are relevant to farmers in Kansas,where a important portion of the U.S. wheat and sorghum crops are grown. he noted that food insecurity is a major cause of extremism around the world.
What’s next
the future of these agricultural research programs remains uncertain, with ongoing efforts to restore funding and maintain America’s competitive edge in global agriculture. The potential impact on food security and the livelihoods of American farmers is a growing concern.