Farm Programs: Administrative Requirements Reduced and Further Program Delivery Changes Possible
RCED-98-98
Published: Apr 20, 1998. Publicly Released: Apr 20, 1998.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined the administrative requirements placed on farmers participating in the revamped farm programs, as well as the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) efficiency in delivering program services to farmers, focusing on the: (1) extent to which the changes to the farm programs resulting from the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 have reduced farmers' administrative requirements; and (2) possibility of having USDA use alternative delivery methods to more efficiently administer farm programs.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture | The Secretary of Agriculture should direct the Administrator, FSA, in coordination with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Rural Development mission area (FSA's Service Center partners), to study the costs and benefits of using alternative delivery methods to accomplish mission objectives. |
Closed – Not Implemented
The Department, in its response to the Congress and OMB, did not address the key recommendation "to study the costs and benefits of using alternative delivery methods to accomplish mission objectives." USDA stated that it must retain its county office structure to provide face-to-face service to selected minority and small-farm program participants. GAO continues to believe that continued pressure to reduce federal expenditures requires USDA to look for ways to deliver services more efficiently. Both the Senate and House Agriculture committees initiated legislation during 2000 to require USDA to provide farmers with internet access for filing and retrieving data from USDA.
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Topics
Agricultural programsCost controlFederal agency reorganizationFederal downsizingLand managementLocally administered programsProductivity in governmentReporting requirementsFarmingCrops