The Trump administration is moving to place agriculture at the center of U.S. national security policy, citing rising concerns over foreign ownership of farmland, fragile supply chains and increasing global food instability.
A new federal strategy unveiled this week designates agriculture as a strategic sector on par with energy and defense, framing it as essential to economic strength and geopolitical stability. The plan proposes heightened review of foreign investments in American farmland, expanded incentives for domestic production and stronger coordination among the Departments of Agriculture, War, and Homeland Security.
Officials pointed to recent trade disputes, severe weather events and geopolitical strains as evidence of vulnerabilities in food and agricultural input supply chains.
Farm organizations largely praised the initiative, saying it reinforces the need to safeguard domestic production capacity and support rural communities.
Some critics, however, warned that additional oversight should be narrowly tailored to avoid deterring investment or placing unnecessary burdens on producers.
Administration officials said further details will be released in the coming months through regulatory measures and interagency efforts.
Last week, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that strengthened collaboration between the two departments in order to share information received by USDA of threats by China and other foreign adversaries.
“Farm security is National Security,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins during the MOU signing on Feb. 11. “Protecting the Homeland must begin with protecting our farmland.”
Source: NAFB News Service
