To assist in the administration of the programs authorized by this subpart, the President shall establish a permanent Board for International Food and Agricultural Development (hereafter in this subpart referred to as the “Board”) consisting of seven members, not less than four to be selected from the universities. Terms of members shall be set by the President at the time of appointment. Members of the Board shall be entitled to such reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties (including per diem in lieu of subsistence while away from their homes or regular place of business) as the President deems appropriate on a case-by-case basis.

The Board’s general areas of responsibility shall include participating in the planning, development, and implementation of, initiating recommendations for, and monitoring, the activities described in section 2220b of this title.

The Board’s duties shall include, but not necessarily be limited to—

(1) participating in the formulation of basic policy, procedures, and criteria for project proposal review, selection, and monitoring;

developing and keeping current a roster of universities—

(A) interested in exploring their potential for collaborative relationships with agricultural institutions, and with scientists working on significant programs designed to improve agricultural production, trade, and natural resource management in developing countries, and with private organizations seeking to increase agricultural production and trade, natural resources management, and household food security in developing and transition countries; [1]

(B) having capacity in the agricultural, environmental, and related social sciences,

(C) able to maintain an appropriate balance of teaching, research, and extension functions,

(D) having capacity, experience, and commitment with respect to international agricultural efforts, and

(E) able to contribute to solving the problems addressed by this subpart;

(3) recommending which developing nations could benefit from programs carried out under this subpart, and identifying those nations which have an interest in establishing or developing agricultural institutions which engage in teaching, research, or extension activities;

(4) reviewing and evaluating memorandums of understanding or other documents that detail the terms and conditions between the Administrator and universities and their partners participating in programs under this subpart;

(5) reviewing and evaluating agreements and activities authorized by this subpart and undertaken by universities and public and private partners of universities to assure compliance with the purposes of this subpart;

(6) recommending to the Administrator the apportionment of funds under section 2220b of this title;

(7) assessing the impact of programs carried out under this subpart in solving agricultural problems and natural resource issues in the developing nations, assuring efficiency in use of Federal resources, including in accordance with the Governmental Performance and Results Act of 1993 (Public Law 103–62; 107 Stat. 285), and the amendments made by that Act;

(8) developing information exchanges and consulting regularly with nongovernmental organizations, consumer groups, producers, agribusinesses and associations, agricultural cooperatives and commodity groups, State departments of agriculture, State agricultural research and extension agencies, and academic institutions;

(9) investigating and resolving issues concerning implementation of this subpart as requested by universities; and

(10) advising the Administrator on any and all issues as requested.

The President may authorize the Board to create such subordinate units as may be necessary for the performance of its duties, including but not limited to the following:

(1) a Joint Policy Committee to participate in the design and development of the collaborative activities described in section 2220b of this title; and

(2) a Joint Operations Committee which shall assist in and advise on the mechanisms and processes for implementation of activities described in section 2220b of this title.

In addition to any other functions assigned to and agreed to by the Board, the Board shall be consulted in the preparation of the annual report required by section 2220e of this title and on other agricultural development activities related to programs under this subpart.

(Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, § 298, as added Pub. L. 94–161, title III, § 312, Dec. 20, 1975, 89 Stat. 864; amended Pub. L. 106–373, § 4, Oct. 27, 2000, 114 Stat. 1432.)