Agriculture Groups Seek $900 Million in US Aid to Recoup Markets
- Applications are triple amount for first round of aid program
- US is no longer the top exporter of corn, wheat or soybeans
The $1.3 billion Regional Agricultural Promotion Program is designed to help the industry tap new destinations for American crops.
Photographer: Scott Olson/Getty ImagesThe US is seeing fervent industry support for its program to help the nation’s farmers win back overseas markets from rivals including Brazil and Russia, with agriculture groups seeking more than $900 million in aid.
The US Department of Agriculture received applications for more than three times the $300 million made available in the first round of a five-year export promotion plan, according to Daniel Whitley, the administrator of the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. The $1.3 billion Regional Agricultural Promotion Program, announced last year, is designed to help the industry tap new destinations for American crops.