The Legislature hereby finds and declares:
That the economic progress of Mississippi depends in large measure upon the wise and most feasible use of our agricultural land, and other natural resources of the state;
That food and food products grown and produced in this state substantially utilize a portion of our agricultural lands and other natural resources;
That food and food products when continually improved and more effectively utilized can contribute substantially to the total economic development of Mississippi;
That there is a tremendous need for additional knowledge about the production, harvesting, handling, grading, preparing, processing, storing, shipping and merchandising of food and food products; and
That this chapter is specifically designed to establish a program for the discovery and dissemination of knowledge concerning food and food products and the uses thereof.