Section 522(c)(1) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (Act) allows the Risk Management Agency (RMA) to conduct activities or enter into contracts to carry out research and development for underserved agricultural commodities, including specialty crops. Section 522(c)(2)(B) of the Act requires RMA to consult with groups representing producers of the agricultural commodity that would be served by a policy that resulted from this research and development effort, prior to beginning any work, in order to determine the interest level or concerns of producers.

RMA is considering a study to research the feasibility and potential development of a Federal crop insurance program for California citrus trees.

RMA plans to issue a solicitation for a contract for research and development of a Federal crop insurance program for California citrus trees. Prior to issuing the contract, RMA seeks preparatory input from interested parties regarding the following information:

• Level of interest in participating in a California citrus tree Federal crop insurance program;
• Any producer concerns about development of a Federal crop insurance program for California citrus trees;
• Availability of any existing private insurance products covering California citrus tree crops;
• Types of risks, perils, or issues facing California citrus tree producers; and,
• Potential availability of any state, county, or producer level data relating to yield and price.
• In addition to the above, RMA seeks any other information or relevant issues to be considered when carrying out research and determining the feasibility of a crop insurance program for California citrus trees.

Please address any input regarding the intent to Research and Develop a California Citrus Tree Federal Crop Insurance Program by December 29, 2017, to Wilma Davis, Product Design Branch at Wilma.Davis@rma.usda.gov or mail to:

USDA/RMA/APDD
Beacon Facility, Stop 0813
PO Box 419205
Kansas City, MO 64141-6205

DISPOSAL DATE:
December 31, 2017