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Sweetpotato Pilot Program Development In March of 2003, RMA contracted with Watts and Associates to review the Sweetpotato APH Pilot Program, adopted in 1998. There was some question as to whether the program should be terminated, modified, made into a permanent program, or left alone. The purpose of this contract was to investigate the future of this program. Following an extensive review of the program, we concluded that the pilot required numerous alterations if it was to remain in use. RMA contracted with Watts and Associates in February of 2004 to develop a new program with dual objectives. This first objective was to develop a replacement "turnrow", or harvest, pilot insurance program for implementation in the 2005 crop year. The turnrow component of the pilot program insures the product from production up through harvest. Following an intensive development effort in the spring of 2004, we submitted program components intended to fulfill the first objective of replacing the turnrow pilot insurance program. The turnrow component of the Sweetpotato New Pilot Program was approved by the FCIC Board on October 28, 2004. The contract further specifies development of an additional coverage component to add storage coverage, if feasible, for the 2006 crop year. This component insures the product from production through curing and storage, which can be up to 12 months after harvest. Development of this objective is currently underway. We are currently developing a supplemental training package for adjusters, agents, and trainers to accompany the Sweetpotato New Pilot Program. This package is to educate insurance agents and adjusters with the conditions and terms of the Sweetpotato Common Insurance Policy. |
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