New Regional Agricultural Promotion Program Hot Topic at USAEDC 2023

BALTIMORE, MD – Earlier this week, USA Rice, along with 300 attendees participated in the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council (USAEDC) annual workshop to hear updates on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs, a Farm Bill update, and learn about ways to improve international marketing programs.  USAEDC is an association of agricultural trade associations, farmer cooperatives, and state regional trade groups that represent the export promotion interests of growers and processors of U.S. agricultural products.

USA Rice participated in a panel discussion to talk about approaches to sustainability in climate-smart products with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Blue Diamond Growers, and the USDA International Climate Hub.

“USA Rice’s systems-based approach for conservation practices really made a lot of sense to the audience and they loved the idea that ducks are our cover crop,” said Sarah Moran, USA Rice vice president international, who was a panelist.  “Each crop is doing something a little different but regardless, biodiversity is increasingly important within the climate conversation.”

Many discussions centered around the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) which was published today in the Federal Register.  RAPP, which builds on the success of the Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) program, has a budget that is more than four times larger than its predecessor, highlighting the need for increased market promotion activities and efforts to address non-tariff barriers to trade.

“It’s encouraging to see the support for these market access programs not only from USDA but also from Congress,” said Moran.  “We and the other agricultural groups are optimistic great things are yet to come with these programs.”