The primary goal of the IR-4 program is to provide safe, effective and economical pest management solutions for growers of minor/specialty crops.
IR-4 facilitates crop protection by providing expert assistance with product development and registration.
IR-4 positively impacts the ability
of research and extension personnel, producers, grower organizations, and others to provide a continuous supply of affordable minor/specialty crops to the public.
IR-4 is the only publicly supported research program in the United States that provides this service.
Successful applicants will demonstrate the capacity and commitment required to accelerate the registration of newer, reduced risk pest management tools; expedite access to these pest management tools for minor/specialty crop growers, and conduct efficacy research to identify new and more effective minor/specialty crop pest management solutions.
The FY 2010 IR-4 Program will fund four geographically-based IR-4 Regional Centers and an IR-4 National Headquarters.