Appearing on an Illinois family farm, President Biden announced today that his administration would be giving farmers additional tools and resources to boost crop production and maintain global food security.
The announcement comes as the administration is working to help farmers, American consumers and food insecure communities around the globe who are feeling the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“American corn growers continue to feed and fuel the world even as they face challenges stemming from the war in Ukraine and high input costs,” said National Corn Growers Association CEO Jon Doggett, who attended the announcement. “We’re appreciative of the efforts that President Biden and USDA are making to help farmers navigate these challenges, and the recognition of the key role farmers play in providing solutions.”
During his announcement, Biden committed to:
- Increase the number of counties eligible for double cropping insurance, which will allow farmers to plant a second crop on the same land in the same year, helping boost production without relying on farmers to substitute crops or cultivate new land.
- Cut costs for farmers by increasing technical assistance for technology-driven precision agriculture, resulting in less fertilizer usage without reducing yields.
- Double the previously announced funding for domestic fertilizer production to ensure accessibility of this critical input for growers.
Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of efforts by the administration to help lower costs for farmers and American consumers. In April, the president visited an Iowa ethanol production facility to announce the administration’s extension of full market access for higher ethanol blends through the summer months, increasing the fuel supply through greater use of low-cost and low-emissions ethanol.