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Agency Budget Summary
Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
I. Resource Summary
II. Methodology
- The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) maintains an automated system for tracking full-time equivalency (FTE), and the costs and resources assigned to each identifiable research program. The Research Management Information System (RMIS) is this agency's basic management database. This system is used to develop and track resource estimates for all ARS narcotics related projects.
III. Program Summary
- ARS has been involved in narcotics-related research since 1972, when requested by the White House Drug Policy Coordinator and the Department of State to evaluate eradication options for illicit cultivation overseas, in cooperation with the United Nations Division of Narcotic Drugs (UNDND).
- The ARS research program supports the Strategy by providing science support to other federal agencies in the areas of illicit crop eradication, intelligence (drug crop estimates and identification) and alternative crop programs in producer countries. Coordination is conducted through various mechanisms with both federal and international organizations.
- Activities focus on:
- Eradication research through a program of chemical, biological, and mechanical agents;
- Research and development of alternative crops in producing (narcotic) countries;
- Research into models and estimates of illicit crops overseas; and
- Narcotics crop plant identification and chemistry, including detection of cannabis on U.S. public land.
IV. Budget Summary
1999 Program
Goal 5: Break foreign and domestic drug sources of supply.
- The FY 1999 program includes $27.8 million for reducing foreign and domestic sources of supply which supports Goal 5 of the Strategy. This includes $23.0 million of emergency supplemental funding (FY 1999 only) provided in the Omnibus Appropriations Act to support counternarcotics research. Specifically, $7.584 million is provided for crop eradication research which includes chemical and biocontrol activities; $5.721 million to reduce economic dependence upon illicit narcotic crops by identifying commercial crops to replace illicit narcotic crop cultivation in the Western Hemisphere; $1.753 million for worldwide narcotic plant identification; $10.0 million for herbicide research; and $2.707 to support law enforcement agencies through programs oriented towards narcotic plant identification and chemistry. Of the $2.707 million, $0.275 million is devoted to non-aerial detection/estimation of illicit cannabis concealed on U.S. public lands.
2000 Request
Goal 5: Break foreign and domestic drug sources of supply.
- The FY 2000 request is $4.765 million. These resources will fund eradication research; research and development of alternative crops; research in estimates of illicit crop cultivation overseas; and narcotic plant identification and chemistry, including cannabis detection/estimation.
V. Program Accomplishments
- Crop Eradication Research.
ARS has successfully identified six pathogens with selected control potential. Research has been undertaken to determine which herbicides can be made effective on coca. Long-term research on the biosynthetic mechanism of herbicide has been undertaken.
- Reduce Economic Dependence Upon Illicit Narcotic Crops By Identifying Alternatives and Narcotic Crop Substitutes in the Western Hemisphere. The ARS program seeks to rehabilitate existing industries by restoring the cocoa and coffee cultivation to economic levels for small farmers. Programs focus on rehabilitation of the cocoa industry in Peru and reducing coffee losses from pests.
- Estimate and Detect Illicit Narcotic Crop Production Worldwide. The USDA/ARS program supports the intelligence law enforcement and foreign affairs communities by developing accurate production models.
- Support Law Enforcement Agencies through Programs Oriented Towards Narcotic Plant Identification and Chemistry. ARS maintains an ability to provide basic research in the following areas: narcotic plant taxonomy; DNA finger printing; plant genetics; plant alkaloid chemistry; biochemistry and molecular chemistry.
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