Commodity Programs: Should Farmers Grow Income-Supported Crops on Federal Land?
RCED-92-54
Published: Jan 15, 1992. Publicly Released: Feb 21, 1992.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) income support program, focusing on: (1) the basis for the government's policy of allowing lessees to participate in the income support program; and (2) estimates of payments USDA made to lessees during crop years 1988 and 1989.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Management and Budget | The Director, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), should modify the government's federal lessees policy: (1) to prohibit lessees from growing income-supported crops whenever a prohibition is consistent with national agricultural production and environmental goals; and (2) prohibit federal lessees from receiving the 92-percent payment for not growing crops on federal land. In implementing those policy changes, the Director should determine if a transition period is needed for federal lessees to adjust to the changes. |
Closed – Not Implemented
The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 replaces deficiency payments to farmers with 7-year market transition payments and eliminates restrictions on the crops that farmers can grow. Therefore, this recommendation is no longer applicable.
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Topics
Agricultural policiesFarm income stabilization programsFarm subsidiesIncome maintenance programsLand leasesLand managementPublic landsCropsAgricultural landFederal assistance programs