Nearly every person in the nation has benefited from the contribution of agricultural research. In 1910, one farm worker produced enough food for only seven persons -- today -- as a result of modern technology -- a single worker provides enough for 23 persons. Our modern urban industrial economy would not be possible without the advanced scientific techniques which enable us to supply these giant metropolitan complexes with the agricultural products that are vital to their survival.
But the advances -- the achievements -- of the past are not enough. Our Department of Agriculture must encourage and support research programs for the future -- research programs which will develop new uses for old products -- increase production to meet the needs of a rapidly expanding population -- and provide a well-balanced, healthy diet for all Americans.
Our agricultural research program for the sixties should have four major goals.
First, it should develop more efficient methods of minimizing the costs and hazards of production and marketing. For example, we can develop revised methods of soil cultivation to enable the farmer to shift to new cash crops when soil or marketing conditions make a change imperative.
Second, research must discover new and improved products -- new uses for our food -- new products which will create new industries -- expand markets -- and reduce surpluses. For example, it has been estimated that there are potential new industrial uses for 500 million additional bushels of cereal grains and one million additional bales of cotton.
Third, we must increase our knowledge of the nutritional requirements and preferences of the American people. Today 17 million Americans suffer from malnutrition. This is a shameful and inexcusable statistic for the world’s most abundant producer of food. Research can help to eliminate malnutrition from our national scene.
Fourth, we must develop the statistical tools which will enable us to analyze the economics of farm operating methods and management practices and to evaluate the impact of technological change on our farm economy. In this way, we can help to cut costs of farm production and aid farmers to make the transition to more advances agricultural techniques.
These are only a few of the things which research can do for agriculture. Modern science and technology has opened new vistas of plenty -- of freedom from want -- and of a strong farm economy for the future. Let us use these resources of knowledge and skill -- and help to eliminate economic distress from our farms, and hunger from the world.
Source: Papers of John F. Kennedy. Pre-Presidential Papers. Presidential Campaign Files, 1960, Box 1028, Folder: "Agriculture: Agricultural Research." John F. Kennedy Presidential Library.