New crops offer alternatives to increase farm income, improve diets, lower costs, expand markets, diversify products, and increase exports. However, there is a dilemma to new crops developments. Processors and other entiities in the production chain are not interested in establishing facilities for new crops unless volume and markets are assured, while farmers will not plant without assured markets. This is the weak link in the chain of new crop development. Successful development of new crops and plant products requires a working partnership between scientist, farmers, industry, and government.
The Center has developed a newsletter (New Crops News) which is distributed to the New Crops community. Symposia featuring individual new crops are planned; the first on Crayfish production was held in July 1992. Internally, the New Crops Center has served as a focal point to engender cooperation among disparate researchers interested in various aspects of new crops. A seminar program in new crops has been helpful for this purpose.
The outreach program has had a national and international impact. For example the American Association of Industrial Crops (AAIC) was organized at the first symposium and was a co-organizer of the second national symposium. Following our lead, international new crops symposia have been held in London in l989 and in Jerusalem in l992. Finally the Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercializaetion Center (AARC) based on a $4.5 million federal appropriation represents national support for new crop efforts.
Title | Personnel | Department |
1990-92 | ||
Development of Edible Soybeans | N.C. Nielsen J.R. Wilcox | Agronomy Agronomy |
Expansion of Winter Canola and | E. Christmas | Agronomy |
Pearl Millet Production | J. Axtell H. Doster J. Rogler S. Weller | Agronomy Ag Economics Animal Science Horticulture |
Commercialization of Specialty Crops for Processing and Fresh Market | J.E. Simon J. Janick G. Sullivan P.B. Brown | Horticulture Horticulture Horticulture Fors & Nat Res |
1992-1993 | ||
Development of Alternative Double Crops in Indiana | ||
Introduction of Pearl Millet to Indiana Agriculture | J. Axtell R. Nielsen G. Brown E. Christmas | Agronomy Agronomy Agronomy Agronomy |
Development of Weed Management Strategies for Pearl Millet | S. Weller | Horticulture |
valuation of the Nutritional Value of Pearl Millet in Pig Diets | L. Adeola J.C. Rogler | Animal Science Animal Science |
Expansion of Winter Canola Production | E. Christmas H. Doster | Agronomy Agricultural Economics |
Introduction of Annual Medics into Indiana Agriculture | K.D. Johnson J.J. Volnec | Agronomy Agronomy |
Development of New Specialty Crops | ||
Commercializing New Essential Oil Crops | J.E. Simon J. Janick D.J. Charles M.R. Morales | Horticulture Horticulture Horticulture Horticulture |
Commercialization of Specialty Melons | J.E. Simon J. Janick M.R. Morales D.J. Charles G.H. Sullivan D. Scott | Horticulture Horticulture Horticulture Horticulture Horticulture Horticulture |
Development of Integrated Production and Marketing Strategies for Commercial Expansion in the Fresh Melon Industry | G.H. Sullivan | Horticulture |
Evaluation of New Fruit Crops | B. Bordelon R.H. Hayden J. Janick | Horticulture Horticulture Horticulture |
Soft-Shell Crayfish Expansion | P.B. Brown | Fors & Nat Res |
Evaluation of Transgenic High-solid Tomatoes | A.K. Handa | Horticulture |