Overview
Title
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Agriculture wants to know if the way they collect and use information about farming and education projects is good, and they are asking people to tell them what they think by March 15, 2021. They want to make sure the work is helpful and not too hard for people to do, but they didn't explain everything clearly, like how they calculated the time it takes or how they spend the money.
Summary AI
The Department of Agriculture has submitted an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act. They are seeking public comments on the necessity and utility of collecting this information, including its accuracy and ways to enhance its quality while minimizing the burden on respondents. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is involved in this process, particularly for the Research Education Extension Project Online Reporting Tool. This tool helps record data on research and education programs, aids in resource planning, and coordinates efforts to address agricultural issues. The deadline for submitting comments is March 15, 2021.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document, titled "Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request," is a notice from the Department of Agriculture about an information collection request submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The purpose of this request is to gain approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which mandates public feedback on specific aspects of the information collection process. The focus is on the Research Education Extension Project Online Reporting Tool managed by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), which aids various research and education programs critical to agriculture.
Summary of the Document
The Department of Agriculture's submission seeks to collect, manage, and utilize information related to research and education activities in agriculture. Through the Research Education Extension Project Online Reporting Tool, the information gathered will help plan resource allocation, avoid duplication, and aid the coordination of efforts around similar agricultural challenges. Public comments on this proposal are invited until March 15, 2021. The feedback aims to assess the necessity, utility, and effectiveness of the information collection process.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One issue with the document is the lack of clarity on whether the proposed research programs overlap with existing ones, potentially leading to redundancy and wasteful spending. Additionally, there is no explicit explanation of how the burden hours—totaling 72,900—were calculated. This lack of transparency could hinder public understanding and engagement. Moreover, the document does not provide a detailed breakdown of how funds will be distributed among various respondents, including not-for-profit institutions and businesses.
The "Need and Use of the Information" section is dense, with numerous references to legislative acts and administrative manuals that might confuse readers unfamiliar with these details. Furthermore, the document does not specify any criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the information collection in improving program outcomes, nor does it mention any alternative methods considered to reduce the reporting burden on respondents.
A particularly time-sensitive issue is the reference to the deadline of March 15, 2021, which could perplex readers accessing the document after this date, potentially diminishing ongoing public input.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the document aims to impact the agricultural sector by enhancing research and education programs, optimizing resource use, and facilitating communication within the agricultural community. Members of the public who are invested in agricultural developments might be directly affected, as improvements in these areas could lead to enhanced agricultural productivity and sustainability.
However, the heavy reliance on respondents from various sectors—such as for-profit businesses, individuals, and government entities—could imply a significant commitment in terms of time and resources, which may deter participation if not managed properly.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For stakeholders such as educational institutions, research entities, and agricultural businesses, the tool presents an opportunity to streamline data collection and improve program coordination. These stakeholders may find value in the structured approach to managing their contributions to agricultural advancements. However, without clear guidelines on fund allocation, some organizations might feel disadvantaged or unclear about their investment returns.
In contrast, smaller entities and individual respondents might find the information collection process overwhelming due to the technical complexity mentioned in the document. Simplifying the information and considering alternative data collection methods could make participation more appealing and less burdensome for these groups.
Overall, while the document sets the stage for potential improvements in agricultural research and education, addressing the highlighted issues could enhance its accessibility, efficiency, and overall impact. Streamlining communication and ensuring transparency will be key to ensuring that all intended benefits are realized.
Issues
• The document does not specify if there is any overlap or redundancy in the research programs which might lead to wasteful spending.
• The document does not clearly explain how the estimated 'Total Burden Hours' of 72,900 were calculated.
• There is no detailed breakdown of how the funds are allocated between different types of respondents (e.g., Not-for-profit institutions, Business or other for-profit, etc.).
• The 'Need and Use of the Information' section is dense and could be simplified for better understanding, particularly for respondents not familiar with the administrative manuals and legislative references mentioned.
• There is no mention of any measures or criteria for evaluating the effectiveness or impact of the information collection on improving program outcomes.
• The document lacks information on any alternative approaches considered to minimize the reporting burden on respondents.
• The reference to 'March 15, 2021' as the deadline for comments may cause ambiguity for users accessing the document after this date.