3-4-2003 |
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USDA BOOSTS CROP INSURANCE FUNDING FOR WEST VIRGINIA USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) has made available up to $18 million to reduce the cost of crop insurance programs in 15 historically underserved states, including West Virginia, according to Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass. However, the registration deadline is March 15. Producers are urged to contact their local Farm Service Agency office as soon as possible. “This program will provide West Virginia’s farmers with even greater incentive to take advantage of USDA’s crop insurance programs, regardless of what type of operation they are involved in,” said Commissioner Douglass. “This incentive will provide approximately 20 percent more protection for the same affordable premiums currently being paid.” The Targeted States Crop Insurance Financial Assistance Program is available to producers purchasing policies after February 20, 2003, and acreage reporting dates prior to September 30, 2003, in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming. The move is part of an integrated risk management program, the goal of which is to help West Virginia’s farmers to develop individual farm plans that guard against catastrophic losses by spreading, transferring, reducing or eliminating risk factors. In 2001, RMA provided $12.5 million in crop coverage to West Virginia farms, and made nearly $1 million in indemnity payments, in addition to the $1.6 million in payments made in 2000. The priorities of this initiative include examining the need to serve the livestock industry, including forage and range coverage; addressing concerns with coverage in regions facing multi-year droughts; simplifying and improving the effectiveness of various insurance products; and reviewing various RMA authorities to ensure the soundness of the delivery systems and effective oversight of the crop insurance industry. Interested producers should contact their agent regarding program eligibility and availability. A list of crop insurance agents is available at local Farm Service Agency offices or by using RMA’s Agent Locator at: http://www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents/.
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