PMIL program reaches official end

The Peanut & Mycotoxin Innovation Lab wrapped up a five-year program on Sept. 30, completing 12 projects that will improve human health and food security through innovations in peanut production, processing and consumption. The program supported research in research labs, farmer’s fields and processing facilities in 15 US States and 14 foreign countries. and provided over 75 students support in their undergraduate or graduate education.

The management office at the University of Georgia is now working with all PMIL scientists to compile all the results and impacts of the program and deliver final reports to USAID. Full details on the program’s successes and lessons learned will be made available on the website (www.pmil.caes.uga.edu) once the reports are accepted by USAID. In the meantime, we will also continue to highlight project research findings, awards and stories through our website and Feed the Future publications.

USAID solicited proposals for a new peanut program – the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Peanut Research or Peanut Research Innovation Lab (PRIL) for short – in May. The University of Georgia has submitted a proposal to host the PRIL Management Entity, and awaits word from USAID on where the program will be headquartered, when it will start and other details.

The Management Entity would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been associated with PMIL for your support and hard work to make the program the success that it is. Ultimately, the growers, processors and consumers of peanuts and peanut products are the beneficiaries of everyone’s efforts.