The Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board has approved $3.08 million in funding for 34 research projects, following its meeting on February 25, 2026. These projects are intended to support the growth and market development of the rice industry in Arkansas.
“To improve profitability and long-term sustainability, investments in research are critical to Arkansas’s rice industry,” said Jim Whitaker, Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board Chair. “Rice assessment collections should be utilized to fund the best research and practical tools available for Arkansas rice farmers. The Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board plays a critical role in assessing research project proposals presented for the benefit of our state’s farmers.”
This year, the board received 49 proposals requesting over $4.2 million in funding. The proposal period was open from December 5, 2025, to January 9, 2026. Earlier in February, the board also approved $2.86 million for five promotion projects. Funding decisions are made during public meetings by board members.
Among the funded research projects are studies on rice milling quality by G & H Associates and an evaluation of water management practices by USDA-ARS aimed at reducing emissions from rice production.
A significant portion—$2,893,932.22—was allocated to projects from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. This funding is subject to assessment collections and will support work such as optimizing irrigation efficiency with advanced technologies, supporting off-season breeding nurseries in Puerto Rico, economic analysis of farm policy impacts on rice competitiveness, developing flexible enterprise budgets reflecting current production costs, and gene editing efforts aimed at improving grain quality traits.
Other initiatives include breeding blast-resistant rice varieties using genomic prediction techniques, statewide weed management trials, decision-support tools for nitrogen management based on tissue sampling and yield data, technology delivery programs focused on irrigation efficiency, and ongoing nutrient management studies for phosphorus and potassium use.
The board’s activities are financed through assessments paid by both buyers and producers—1.35 cents per bushel each—at points including first sale or entry into USDA loan programs. Buyer assessments fund market development and promotion; producer assessments go toward extension services and research.
Nine members make up the board: all are Arkansas rice producers appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation; four must represent the state’s merchant and milling sector. Members serve two-year terms.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture oversees this program as part of its broader mission to support farmers statewide while ensuring food safety across local and global markets (https://agriculture.arkansas.gov). It also advocates conservation practices such as prescribed fires for land management (https://agriculture.arkansas.gov) and offers various programs related to animal care, crop management, forest protection, natural resource oversight (https://agriculture.arkansas.gov), focusing on agriculture as Arkansas’s leading industry (https://agriculture.arkansas.gov). Wes Ward serves as Cabinet Secretary for the department (https://agriculture.arkansas.gov).
More information about The Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board is available through the Department’s website.
