Overview
Title
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Agriculture wants to check if the information they collect about farms and crops is useful and correct. They are asking for ideas on how to make it better without bothering people too much or wasting money.
Summary AI
The Department of Agriculture is submitting a request for review and approval of their information collection requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act. They seek public comments on whether the information collected is necessary, accurate, and useful. The National Agricultural Statistics Service aims to gather data on the stocks of grains, hops, oilseeds, and other crops to provide reports that aid government agencies, state agencies, and market participants. The information is collected from farms and businesses with around 9,925 respondents, and these reports serve as crucial economic indicators.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The Department of Agriculture has issued a notice seeking public feedback on its information collection practices, as mandated by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This request is part of their preparation to submit necessary documents for review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The primary aim is to ensure that the data collected is essential, accurate, and beneficial to the department and related stakeholders.
General Summary
The request specifically highlights the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), which is responsible for gathering data concerning agricultural stocks, specifically grains, hops, oilseeds, peanuts, potatoes, and rice. These statistics play a pivotal role in generating reports that assist various governmental and state agencies, as well as businesses, in making informed decisions regarding production and marketing strategies. The notice reports that approximately 9,925 respondents, primarily from farms and businesses, participate in these surveys, which are conducted monthly, quarterly, and annually.
Significant Issues or Concerns
A few concerns are evident in the notice. Firstly, there’s a lack of clarity regarding the specific actions or methodologies that will be employed to improve the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected. While there is mention of utilizing technology to reduce the burden on respondents, there are no detailed strategies on how this will be achieved. Moreover, the notice does not identify any measures to prevent wasteful data collection practices or redundancy, which could be concerns for those interested in fiscal responsibility and efficiency.
Another issue lies in the somewhat technical language used in explaining the need and use of collected information. Simplifying it could allow broader comprehension, especially for stakeholders unfamiliar with agricultural statistics. Additionally, the notice does not disclose the funding details for these activities, making financial oversight challenging.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, especially those not directly involved in agriculture, this notice might seem remote or tangential. However, the data collected and the resulting reports influence agricultural policies and market trends that can indirectly impact food prices and availability. Thus, there's an inherent public interest in ensuring this process is efficient and effective.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Stakeholders directly involved, like farmers and agribusinesses, stand to benefit significantly if the information collection is handled correctly. Accurate data can lead to more targeted and effective policy decisions and market strategies. The potential positive impact includes optimized distribution channels and competitive pricing strategies. Conversely, inefficient or redundant data collection practices could pose operational burdens and unnecessary complications for these stakeholders.
Overall, while the Department of Agriculture's intention to refine and optimize its data collection process is commendable, clarity and transparency are crucial. Addressing the mentioned concerns could enhance trust and cooperation among all parties involved.
Issues
• The notice does not clearly state what specific actions or methodologies will be undertaken to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.
• The document lacks specific details regarding how the proposed information collection will minimize the burden on respondents, particularly how technology will be leveraged to achieve this.
• There is no indication in the notice of any specific measures that the Department of Agriculture will use to ensure that the information collection is not wasteful or redundant.
• The language around the need and use of the information, while informative, could be simplified for better clarity, particularly for stakeholders who may not be familiar with the technicalities of agricultural statistics data collection.
• The notice does not specify any particular amount of funding for the information collection activities, making it difficult to audit for potential wasteful spending.