Rice Production Program (RPP)

USDA is providing up to $250 million in assistance to rice farmers through a one-time payment based on 2022 planted and prevented planted acres.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, provided the authority and funding for USDA to make payments to rice producers based on data already on file with the USDA, including planted acres and acres prevented from being planted.

To be eligible for RPP, a producer must have reported a share interest in an eligible type of rice planted or prevented from being planted for the 2022 crop year, by the acreage reporting deadline.

• “Eligible type of rice” for RPP means short, medium, and long grain rice, including temperate japonica and sweet rice, reported as planted or prevented from being planted for crop year 2022.

• Industrial rice and wild rice are not eligible to receive a RPP payment.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is mailing pre-filled applications to producers using information on file with USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) or FSA, as reported by rice producers through their crop insurance agents or FSA county offices.  

To apply for assistance through the RPP, producers must return their completed FSA-174, Rice Production Program Application, to their recording FSA county office by close of business on July 10, 2023. Applications may be submitted either in person, by mail, email, or facsimile.

If you think you should have received a pre-filled application, but have not, contact your local FSA office.

• May 5, 2023: USDA Announces Signup for New Rice Production Program

• Rice Production Program Fact Sheet

• Rice Production Program Rule