WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) recently highlighted rice and climate-friendly production practices that are now covered by crop insurance on Acting RMA Administrator Richard Flournoy’s
blog.
The story focuses on the environmental benefits practices such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and furrow irrigation provide to producers who are able to utilize them. It also examines the role USDA agencies, such as RMA and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, play in helping farmers transition to these newer production practices while also ensuring adequate risk management through the Federal crop insurance program.
As a real-life example, rice farmer Dow Brantley from England, Arkansas, was interviewed for the story.
“Rice farmers appreciate USDA’s Risk Management Agency providing crop insurance coverage to the AWD and furrow irrigation production practices that allow farmers to better manage risk associated with these climate-friendly, beneficial efforts," said Brantley. “This is why securing this coverage was long a priority of USA Rice, which continues to pursue means of improving the environment while securing a nutritious and high-quality food supply for our growing world.”
Both alternate wetting and drying and furrow irrigated rice are covered practices under the Federal crop insurance program. USA Rice worked with USDA over several years to attain this coverage which began with the 2020 crop year.