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Mission of the UF-CTA
To conduct research, education, and outreach and to provide technical assistance in order to improve sustainability of agricultural productivity and natural resource management, to protect and restore natural ecosystems threatened by agricultural activities to prevent loss of biodiversity, and to improve the quality of life for people living in humid tropical and subtropical regions.
The Center approaches this mission through graduate education, collaborative research with international and domestic partners, outreach, and technical support services. Such activities are supported in part by the office of the Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and also through international assistance contracts and grants.
GOALS
- Capacity Building: The Center provides students and non-degree seeking trainees with the knowledge, skills, and post-graduate degrees, as appropriate, which are required to hold professional, leadership, and executive positions in tropical agriculture.
- Research: The Center focuses on key issues that impact tropical agriculture and agro ecosystems, particularly with respect to enhancing Florida’s agriculture and by addressing issues and concerns of international significance and domestic relevance.
- Information and Technical Services: The Center serves as an information portal and clearinghouse for those who seek the services of affiliated scientists who have the appropriate technical background and who can design and deliver educational programs, conduct targeted research, and provide consultant services.
- International Development Assistance Programs: The Center provides exert assistance in the planning, coordination, implementation, and review of the research, education, and extension components of such programs.
- Production agriculture for crops and livestock: all aspects of agricultural production pertinent to crop and livestock systems in humid tropical environments.
Principal Expertise & Thematic Foci of the Center for Tropical Agriculture
- Invasive species: expertise to monitor, manage, and counter the threats from invasive pests, including insects, weeds, pathogens, and other biological threats to crop and livestock production systems in the tropics.
- Conservation and utilization of genetic resources and biodiversity: identification, evaluation, protection, and utilization of genetic resources/biodiversity of the humid tropical zone.
- Effects of climate change on tropical agriculture: measurement and modeling of scenarios for the impact of climate change in the humid tropics.
- Environmental and economic sustainability of tropical agriculture: focused efforts pertinent to maintaining the viability of agricultural and agro ecosystems in the humid tropics.
- Food security and nutrition: research and educational activities that promote food security and good health through proper nutrition at the household and community levels in the humid tropical zone.
- Food technology and safety: promotion of food processing industries and food safety relevant to the humid tropical zone
