USDA announces additional rice payment

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that rice producers will receive an additional payment through the Farm Service Agency's (FSA) Rice Production Program. This program provides up to $250 million in assistance to rice farmers based on 2022 rice acres.

The additional payment is being made to help rice producers offset the rising costs of production, which have had a disproportionate economic impact on this sector of agriculture.

To receive the additional payment, rice producers must have previously applied for the Rice Production Program and received an initial program payment. The additional payment will be calculated at a rate of 28 cents per pound based on the previously reported data.

The payment limitation for the program is set by statute and is higher for farmers whose average adjusted gross farm income (AGI) is more than 75% of their total AGI. Farmers who derive 75% or more of their AGI from farming qualify for a $250,000 payment limit, while other farmers are subject to a $125,000 payment limitation.

Rice producers who previously requested the higher payment limit do not need to take any further action. However, rice producers who have not previously requested the higher payment limit but believe they may be eligible should contact their local FSA county office as soon as possible.

The USDA is committed to supporting rice producers and all-American agriculture. This additional payment is one way that the USDA is helping to ensure that farmers and ranchers have the resources they need to continue producing the food and fiber that our nation relies on.

For more information, view the Rice Production Program fact sheet or contact your local USDA service center.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices. To learn more, visit usda.gov.