Afrigather WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2024 – The U.S. Division of Agriculture will make an extra $300 million obtainable by way of the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program to assist develop export markets for American farm and meals merchandise world wide, Deputy Agriculture Secretary Xochitl Torres Small introduced at the moment.
“Entry to worldwide markets helps U.S. farmers at residence and meals safety all through the world,” stated Deputy Secretary Torres Small. “USDA launched RAPP final 12 months as a part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s dedication to create extra, new and higher markets for U.S. producers and agribusinesses, and we’ve seen large curiosity, culminating in additional than a billion {dollars} in proposals for the primary $300 million spherical of RAPP funding earlier this 12 months. Given the significance of exports in supporting farm earnings and rural financial improvement, we’re delighted to have the ability to make an extra $300 million obtainable this 12 months.”
Secretary Vilsack introduced in October 2023 that USDA would use $1.2 billion from the Commodity Credit score Company to determine RAPP to assist U.S. exporters develop their buyer base past established markets corresponding to China, Mexico and Canada, which collectively account for almost half of all present export gross sales. In Could, USDA allotted the primary $300 million in RAPP funding to 66 U.S. organizations to implement a whole bunch of market improvement initiatives specializing in a variety of merchandise and markets.
USDA revealed a Discover of Funding Alternative on Grants.gov at the moment and organizations should apply by Oct. 4. USDA anticipates that allocations will probably be introduced earlier than the top of the calendar 12 months. As with the primary spherical of RAPP funding, USDA is once more setting apart $25 million particularly for actions in Africa, which has the among the fastest-growing economies – however the lowest ranges of U.S. export market funding – of any area on the earth.
For extra details about RAPP, go to: fas.usda.gov/applications/regional-agricultural-promotion-program
USDA touches the lives of all Individuals every day in so many optimistic methods. Within the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is reworking America’s meals system with a larger give attention to extra resilient native and regional meals manufacturing, fairer markets for all producers, guaranteeing entry to protected, wholesome, and nutritious meals in all communities, constructing new markets and streams of earnings for farmers and producers utilizing local weather good meals and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clear vitality capabilities in rural America, and committing to fairness throughout the Division by eradicating systemic limitations and constructing a workforce extra consultant of America. To study extra, go to www.usda.gov.
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