Foreign Agricultural Service - USDA

The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that represents the diverse interests of U.S. farmers and the food and agricultural sector abroad. It also collects, analyzes, and disseminates information about global supply and demand, trade trends, and emerging market opportunities. FAS seeks improved market access for U.S. products and implements programs designed to build new markets and to maintain the competitive position of U.S. products in the global marketplace. FAS also carries out food aid and market-related technical assistance programs, as well as operates a variety of Congressionally mandated import and export programs. FAS helps USDA and other federal agencies, U.S. universities, and others enhance the global competitiveness of U.S. agriculture and helps increase income and food availability in developing nations by mobilizing expertise for agriculturally led economic growth. This is an example of an egov initiative.