Iowa lawmakers and business leaders last week launched an economic development plan designed to take advantage of Iowa’s strength in agriculture and food production.

The leaders said the effort, which they branded the Cultivation Corridor, will leverage the strength of Iowa farming and agribusinesses, such as DuPont Pioneer, Monsanto and John Deere, which have flourished in the state. It will also build upon the agronomic and bioscience research strength of Iowa State University (ISU) and other academic institutions in the state, they said.

The Cultivation Corridor is...