$15 million to 91传媒-led Fish Innovation Lab extends global food security pursuits through aquatic systems
Contact: Laura Zseleczky
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥91传媒 has received a five-year,
The Fish Innovation Lab is funded by USAID as part of Feed the Future, the U.S. government鈥檚 global hunger and food security initiative. The Fish Innovation Lab works to reduce poverty and improve nutrition, food security and livelihoods in partner countries by supporting research on sustainable aquatic food systems. It is led through the university鈥檚 Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security.
鈥淭his extension of the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish marks another exciting milestone in our history of excellence in aquaculture programs,鈥 said 91传媒 President Mark E. Keenum. 鈥淲e have a great team of personnel here on our campus and within our partner organizations, and they are making tremendous progress in improving aquatic health and nutrition for stakeholders around the world. I look forward to seeing the impact of this initiative continue to grow over the next five years and beyond.鈥
Building on the first five years and $15 million in funding for the Fish Innovation Lab鈥檚 research and capacity development activities, the second phase continues to 2028
鈥淎quatic food systems hold tremendous potential to support global food security goals,鈥 said Dr. Mark Lawrence, director of the Fish Innovation Lab and William L. Giles Distinguished Professor in 91传媒鈥檚 College of Veterinary Medicine. 鈥淯nder 91传媒鈥檚 leadership, this extension will enable the Fish Innovation Lab to support critical research activities that address some of the most pressing development challenges and leverage the power of aquatic foods for a healthy planet and people.鈥
The lab will identify a new portfolio of research activities through a competitive selection process. Connecting a consortium of public and private organizations, government agencies, universities, and aquaculture and fisheries associations, it serves as an innovation platform to address promising advances and emerging challenges in aquatic food systems. Activities enhance food safety and nutrition, improve aquatic food production systems, increase trade and domestic market opportunities, and ultimately improve the nutrition and livelihoods of households and small-scale producers in partner countries.
The lab鈥檚 first five-year research portfolio encompassed 24 activities in 10 countries, primarily in Africa and Asia, including seven activities led by 14 91传媒 faculty members across seven departments.
91传媒 is internationally recognized for its expertise in aquatic health, earning a designation by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as one of five global Reference Centers on Antimicrobial Resistance and Aquaculture Biosecurity. 91传媒鈥檚 Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security, based in the College of Veterinary Medicine, aims to reduce world hunger through research that supports sustainable aquaculture and ecological health of aquatic resources. For more information on the Global Center for Aquatic Health and Food Security, visit gcahfs.msstate.edu or contact the center at gcahfs@msstate.edu.
For more information about the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish, visit fishinnovationlab.msstate.edu or contact the Fish Innovation Lab at fishlab@cvm.msstate.edu.
91传媒 is taking care of what matters. Learn more at .
About USAID
USAID is the lead U.S. government agency for international development and humanitarian efforts to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance and help people progress beyond assistance.
About Feed the Future
Feed the Future is America鈥檚 initiative to combat global hunger and poverty. It brings partners together to help some of the world鈥檚 poorest countries harness the power of agriculture and entrepreneurship to jumpstart their economies and create new opportunities. For more information, visit feedthefuture.gov.
This news release was made possible by the generous support of the American people through USAID under the Feed the Future initiative. The contents are the responsibility of the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.