Murano drives to put ‘agriculture’ back in Texas A&M 

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Dr. Elsa Murano described her goals during the recent South Texas Farm and Ranch Show in Victoria. � Staff photo by Taylor

Dec. 1, 2005 - “In my opinion, agriculture needs to acknowledge what the issues are and find some meaningful solution,” noted Dr. Elsa A. Murano, vice chancellor and dean of agriculture and life sciences, and director, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station at Texas A&M University (TAMU) in College Station.

Speaking to a full-house during the recent South Texas Farm and Ranch Show in Victoria, Murano explained she was going to lead professors, Extension personnel, and the experimental stations in “putting the ‘A’ back in TAMU (Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University).”

Murano said that she considers herself as a “team leader,” and is looking forward to focusing on agriculture at TAMU, like it was, originally. Her “three-point” mission will include research, teaching and Extension, and will look at the “changing face of ag.”

She noted that agriculture is “becoming more specialized … a niche marketing” profession. It has become more consumer driven, with customers demanding safe, healthy, high-quality products, while remaining economically conscious.

Technology is now “based on biotechnology, spatial mapping, nanotechnology and mathematical modeling.” Producers need to be “globally focused, with increased interest in free trade agreements; two-nation global economies; and some kind of international standards to settle disputes (between countries).” In other words, ag has become consumer driven, technology based and globally focused, and in order for producers to be a part of the ag group, they need to be conscious of all these things.

According to Murano, by 2020, foods and crops will be largely genetically engineered, with most of the consumers’ food coming from genetically engineered products, such as vegetables, fruit and livestock. With the “explosion of medical technology to attack and correct many diseases,” Murano believes that personal genetic make-up will be changing to fit the needs of that time, too.

Murano stated that it is … actually … a “three-part juggle” for agriculture; the need to develop and utilize technology; remain competitive in the global economy; and provide the consumer with what they want. This is where bringing the “A” back into the TAMU program plans to provide answers for teaching, science, and Extension, said Murano.

She, also, mentioned bio-fuels from agricultural products. Bio-fuels will become more and more important in the future, and TAMU has 15 on-campus departments and 13 off-campus centers working on the alternative fuel.

Murano’s final “take home message” was that producers and TAMU need to consider prevalent research; train leaders for tomorrow; and extend the knowledge of all Extension agents.

�Extension agents are the eyes and ears for the public,� noted Murano, and she encouraged all producers to make use of their knowledge.