The Benefits of the Arkansas Rice Check-Off Program

As margins are reducing for agricultural producers there is a concerted effort to analyze all costs. One such cost for rice producers in Arkansas is their contribution to the Rice Check-off Program. This study analyzes the cost-benefit ratio of funds contributed by Arkansas rice producers and the holistic (both economic and environmental) benefits they receive. This study analyzes just five of the many programs the Rice Check-off Program invests in through the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture (UASDA) and suggests that every dollar invested generated an average return of $28.49 between 2002–2018 ($70.45 when ecosystem benefits are included). That being said, our benefit-cost ratios of 28.49 to 1 and 70.45 to 1, are conservative estimates as we are comparing the total Rice Checkoff funding provided to the UASDA to the benefits of just five of its funded programs. These same investments have resulted in an increase in the rice supply sufficient enough to feed 4.15 million people annually. Rice Check-off funds have consistently provided substantial benefits from their investments