A recent report from BioCrossroads outlines strategies for Indiana agriculture and cites Purdue University's key role in making agriculture more productive.

BioCrossroads, which targets job growth in life sciences' industries, lists five focus areas for agriculture – grains, wood, pork and beef, canning and baking. Of these industries, wood represents the largest income sector. Purdue works with the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen's Association to apply technologies to make this industry even more profitable. Purdue research also improves hardwood tree varieties.

The report also notes that Purdue has the largest food science department in the nation and is "a logical candidate for a national food processing laboratory." Whether or not this becomes a reality, Purdue already develops ways to make food processing more efficient and cost-effective.

The report also suggests creating ag enterprise zones across the state to cluster agricultural operations together, to help maximize profits and minimize environmental effects. In this regard, Purdue is developing environmentally friendly methods for raising livestock and creating biofuels.

Agriculture accounts for 190,000 Hoosier jobs and more than $5 billion in annual income. Purdue Agriculture supports the BioCrossroads strategies, and all of agriculture, as we lead the way in research, application, technology transfer and assisting Indiana industries in adding value and jobs.

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