The Agriculture Department is moving forward with a major overhaul of its loan and grant technology systems that agency officials say will improve access to financing for farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
The new system will consolidate more than 130 loan and grant systems into a single digital platform that will eventually manage approximately 1.2 million active customer files and provide tools for online applications, eligibility screening and payments.
“USDA’s loan modernization effort marks a major step forward in how we better support access to financing for America’s farmers and ranchers,” USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce said. “By giving producers the option to apply for a loan and work directly with our loan staff from any device, anywhere at any time, we are making our programs more accessible and more responsive to the realities of modern agriculture.”
The new platform will retire decades-old outdated systems and create a single customer file for borrowers that will streamline interactions with agency staff and lending partners.
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“Our modernization effort has been the top priority at Rural Development because it represents such a major step forward in how we serve our customers,” Rural Development Acting Undersecretary Todd Lindsey said. “Retiring outdated systems including some built in the 1960s, and moving away from paper-based applications means we are consolidating our technology platforms into a more reliable, efficient, and user‑friendly experience.”
"These improvements will streamline our processes, reduce burdens on applicants, and ensure our programs are easier to access for the people and communities we support," Lindsey added.
USDA did not announce a timeline for full implementation of the updated system.
Glen Smith, President Donald Trump’s pick to be undersecretary for rural development at USDA, who will work closely on the initiative, is the sole unconfirmed position at the Agriculture Department. The two most recent Senate Ag Committee votes on Smith’s nomination scheduled for April 20 and April 29 were postponed due to Republican committee member absences.
Smith will get a vote from the panel “as soon as scheduling allows,” according to a committee spokesperson Monday.
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