Troy Lindsey, a research technician at Mississippi State’s South Farm Aquaculture and Aquatic Science Facility, examines fish at the research facility. In part because of MSU’s expertise on fish health and production issues, the university will partner with USAID to lead the Feed the Future Innovation Lab on Fish. (Photo by Tom Thompson/MSU)
A large grant has been awarded to fund research at Mississippi State.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded $15 million to Mississippi State University to lead the new five-year ‘Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish’ which will research ways to increase the sustainable production of fish and, with it, economic opportunities, nutrition and resilience, particularly among women, small-scale fish farmers, and young people.
The goal of the Fish Innovation Lab is to reduce global hunger, malnutrition, and poverty through science, technology, and innovation.
Congressman Gregg Harper recently stated the importance of this grant aligns with the focus that must be placed on preventing a global hunger crisis as the world’s population increases.
“It is predicted that our world’s population will increase to more than 9 billion by the year 2050. That means that food production will have to increase by 60 to 70% in order to feed the world,” Harper said.
MSU President Mark E. Keenum called the new USAID partnership “groundbreaking” and said the university is “well-positioned to lead this important effort.”
“Our relationship with USAID is a long and fruitful one that underscores Mississippi State’s position as a leading agricultural research university,” Keenum said. “It also speaks specifically to the quality of research and scholarship in our College of Veterinary Medicine.”
Governor Bryant tweeted his thanks to the USAID for their partnership with MSU.
Great call this afternoon with @USAID to discuss the $15M grant to @msstate for the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish, which will save lives by increasing sustainable production of fish. Thanks to the leadership of @USAIDMarkGreen and Miss. State. https://t.co/8vLgUDPJdk
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) September 26, 2018
The Fish Innovation Lab will focus on advancing the productivity frontier, reducing and mitigating risk, and improving human outcomes through nutrition, equity, and economic opportunity for the poor.
