Agricultural Productivity Act of 1983

(Measure passed House, amended, roll call #11 (206-184))

Agricultural Productivity Act of 1983 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) make an inventory of existing research and extension materials and recommend further areas of research regarding crop rotation, intercropping, biological pest control, and other related farming and soil conservation systems; and (2) make such information available to the public.

Directs the Secretary to conduct research on 12 pilot farms (having specified mixes of livestock and crops) to examine the effects of the transition from practices relying on chemical fertilizers and pesticides and traditional soil tillage to systems relying on organic and biological pest control, crop rotation, and conservation tillage. Requires such farms to be chosen within 120 days.

Directs the Secretary to make a parallel study of 12 farms which have been using such farm systems for at least five years.

Sets the term of such projects at five years each.

Sets forth on-farm study data, including soil profile changes, crop yields, energy and water use, and farm income.

Directs the Secretary to make payments to the owner of a pilot farm if the Secretary determines such payments are justified. Stipulates that these payments may be made only during a project's last four years.

Directs the Secretary to coordinate such pilot farms project with specified Federal and State agricultural services, colleges, and farmers.

Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees: (1) within 15 months regarding the information inventory; and (2) by April 1 of each year regarding the pilot farms, with a final project summary and recommendations by April 1 of the year following completion.

Provides for a five-year program of intercropping assistance under the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act.

Authorizes appropriations.