Obama pledges major response to drought

President Barack Obama

on Saturday addressed the issue of the drought that has plagued farmers throughout the nation this summer, calling it one of the worst droughts in over 50 years. “We’re also suffering through one of the worst droughts in over 50 years. More than a fifth of this country is experiencing what we call ‘extreme’ or ‘exceptional’ drought – with states like Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas getting hit harder than most,” said Mr. Obama. The president said that the drought could cause grocery prices to rise and farmers to lose their ability to properly feed their animals, essentially creating a rippling effect that could be felt throughout the nation, unless the drought ends soon enough. “And if we don’t get relief soon, Americans everywhere will start feeling the pinch, with higher prices on grocery store shelves all across the country,” said Mr. Obama. “We can’t let that happen. That’s why, at my direction, the Department of Agriculture, led by Secretary Vilsack, has been working with other agencies across the federal government to make sure we’re doing everything we can to help farmers and ranchers fight back and recover from this disaster. Already, we’ve given farmers across 32 states access to low-interest emergency loans,” added the president. The Department of Agriculture recently released a graphic showing how food price inflation is expected to be close to the historical average in 2012, and slightly above that in 2013 because of the drought. The Obama administration has opened up more federal land for grazing throughout the summer, and it is also working with crop insurance companies to give some farmers a grace period on their premiums. Additionally, this past week the government announced it would be spending $30 million to get water to farm animals and to help restore lands that have been adversely effected by the drought. In his weekly address, the president called on Congress to provide action on the drought when they return from the summer recess period. “Congress needs to do its part, too. They need to pass a farm bill that not only helps farmers and ranchers respond to these kinds of disasters, but also makes necessary reforms and gives them some certainty year-round. That’s the single best way we can help rural communities right now, and also in the long-term,” said Mr. Obama. The president said that this is an “all hands on deck” response from his administration, and that there will be more action provided in the coming weeks.