<OL> <LI> To characterize quality attributes and develop systems to measure quality of cereals, oilseeds, and bioprocess coproducts. <LI> To develop methods to maintain quality, capture value, and preserve food safety at key points in the harvest to end product value chain. <LI>To quantify and disseminate the impact of market-chain technologies on providing high value, food-safe, and bio-secure grains for global markets and bioprocess industries.
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: There is a fundamental policy issue for agricultural sectors in both developing and developed countries: How to create more value at the producer level. One thesis is that value creation and capture at the producer level will occur through value adding and differentiation. This is called value capture through differentiation. An alternative thesis holds that often agricultural production involves products that have entrenched commodity characteristics. Under such conditions value creation and capture will involve achieving economies of scale, structural shifts in demand, and broad-based production economies. This is called value capture through aggregate demand and supply shifters. The socio-economic and political implications of these differing policy alternatives are significant. The cost of an error in policy choice and implementation of a strategy is costly to developed countries, but is devastating to developing countries. My research provides scientifically-based insights and guidance about this very issue where the correct outcome differs by product, country, and industry structure, and often success does not entail a binary choice but measured balance of both approaches. <P>
APPROACH: Methods: Needs assessments of buyers, comprehensive surveys of producers about specialty grain practices, and econometric modeling to better understand the macro and micro forces effecting producers\' specialty grain production decisions. Efforts will include scientific manuscripts, research reports, seminars, national conferences, and a course on agro-industrial marketing. From an evaluation perspective, the objective is to integrate the results into the strategy of producers, processors, and policymakers.