According to Arkansas Rice, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a year-end spending package. Included in the bill is $250 million in assistance for domestic rice farmers to help combat major losses due to record-high input costs. The Senate passed the bill on Thursday, Dec. 22.
Senator John Boozman championed the cause and led the effort to make the funding possible.
“It has been a difficult year for rice producers,” said Senator Boozman, who is the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. “Soaring input costs have hurt producers of every commodity, but—as documented by two separate studies out of Texas A&M University—had a disproportionate impact on rice producers. I am pleased we came together to address this challenge in the year-end bill.”
“The Arkansas rice community greatly appreciates Sen. Boozman’s successful efforts to provide support during a time of record high input costs,” David Gairhan, chair of the Arkansas Rice Federation, said. “The timing of this assistance is crucial as farmers consider options for the upcoming planting season. Our state benefits from his leadership and we look forward to continuing to work with him and his staff in the new year on the next Farm Bill and other issues of concern.”
Click here to read more and what other leaders in the rice industry have to say.
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