Arkansas rice farmers are being asked about their participation in crop insurance programs by a researcher who expects their input could help shape future crop insurance programs. 

“Arkansas is the nation’s top rice-growing state, and we value the opinions and decisions of our rice growers where crop insurance is concerned,” said Ryan Loy, assistant professor and extension agricultural economics specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. 

“We want to understand the types of insurance and coverage that a rice farmer in the Arkansas Delta adopts and why,” Loy said. “Those perceptions and attitudes are critical to us as agricultural economists and to policymakers. 

The survey is open to Arkansas farmers aged 18 and older for whom rice is a principal crop. Completing the survey should take about 15 minutes, and no identifying information will be collected. 

“The questions only pertain to acreage and crop insurance on your farm, with one question being your willingness to pay for a product,” Loy said. “This study’s results will be completely anonymous.” 

Loy is asking that farmers complete the survey by July 31. 

“Our hope is that these results can help motivate potential improvements in the federal crop insurance program,” Loy said. “Farmers should take part to help us tell the story and help improve farm safety nets.” 

Source - https://thewynneprogress.com