Framing agriculture as a frontline issue of national security, Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) has introduced legislation that would formalize and expand coordination between the Department of War and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, aiming to shield the nation’s food system from biological threats, supply chain disruptions and foreign competitors.
The proposal, known as the DoD and USDA Research Act, would codify an existing interagency agreement and direct joint research into emerging technologies — including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, drones and precision agriculture — to better protect farm production and the infrastructure that moves food from fields to markets. A companion bill has been introduced in the House by Congressman Mark Messmer (R-IN-08).
“Protecting America’s food supply is part of protecting our national security,” Banks said in a statement. “This bill helps the Defense Department and USDA work together to keep our farms and supply chains safe from foreign and domestic threats.”
The measure reflects a broader push in Washington to treat food production as a strategic asset, particularly as policymakers warn that adversaries — notably China — are investing heavily in agricultural biotechnology and bio-industrial capacity. Lawmakers and farm groups argue that vulnerabilities ranging from livestock disease outbreaks to reliance on foreign inputs could ripple through both civilian food systems and military readiness.
Supporters of the legislation say closer coordination between defense and agriculture agencies could accelerate research that directly benefits producers, particularly in the Midwest.
For grain farmers, expanded federal research partnerships could mean faster development and deployment of precision agriculture tools that improve yields while reducing input costs. Investments in biotechnology may also strengthen crop resilience against pests and disease, lowering the risk of devastating disruptions that can upend markets and erode farm income. In addition, efforts to bolster domestic supply chains for fertilizers, bio-based materials and other critical inputs could reduce reliance on foreign suppliers — a persistent concern for row crop producers navigating volatile global markets.
Livestock producers, meanwhile, stand to benefit from enhanced biosecurity research aimed at preventing and containing animal disease outbreaks such as African swine fever or avian influenza. Improved surveillance systems, vaccine development and rapid-response protocols could help limit the economic fallout of such events, which often trigger trade restrictions and mass herd losses. Strengthening supply chain resilience — from feed availability to processing capacity — is also seen as key to maintaining stability in meat and dairy markets during disruptions.
“ACC Action and our thousands of members across the country are proud to support Sen. Banks introduction of the DOD and USDA Interagency Research Act, which will strengthen national security and farm production by harnessing research to accelerate American innovation across defense and agriculture,” said Chris Barnard, president of the American Conservation Coalition’s advocacy arm. “By recognizing that farm security is national security, this bill fosters needed Department of Defense and USDA collaboration to develop technology for farmers and food supply chain to protect against threats to agricultural production, supply chains, and readiness.”
Indiana Farm Bureau also endorsed the measure, calling it “a natural partnership” to protect the nation’s food supply.
“Food security is national security, and any collaboration or innovation that aides in protecting our country’s food supply should remain a priority,” the group said.
The legislation would not authorize new spending but instead redirect and coordinate existing research efforts across agencies. It builds on a recently signed memorandum of understanding between defense and agriculture officials intended to elevate agriculture’s role in national security planning.
Backers argue that the stakes extend well beyond the farm gate. Disruptions to the food system — whether from biological threats, cyberattacks or geopolitical competition — can have cascading effects on inflation, trade and military logistics. By tightening coordination between two of the federal government’s largest research enterprises, lawmakers say the bill seeks to ensure the United States maintains control over critical agricultural technologies and supply chains in an increasingly competitive global landscape.
Whether the measure gains traction in a divided Congress remains uncertain, but it arrives at a moment when both parties have shown growing interest in strengthening domestic production and reducing strategic vulnerabilities — particularly in sectors as fundamental as food.
