Aquabusiness: Financing Is Difficult, But Some Financial and Other
Assistance Is Available From USDA (Testimony, 11/10/93,
GAO/T-RCED-94-62).

Although little quantitative data exist on the availability of financing
for aquaculture, lenders, producers, and Agriculture Department (USDA)
officials told GAO that financing is often hard to get, mainly because
emerging industries are perceived as inherently risky.  As with other
risky agricultural operations, aquaculturalists can turn to the Farmers
Home Administration (FmHA) for credit.  FmHA has made nearly $38 million
in aquaculture loans since October 1990.  USDA provides other types of
assistance as well, including research, information services, and export
promotion.  In fiscal year 1993, USDA budgeted more than $24 million for
these activities.  Yet some people GAO spoke with claim that USDA's
current services may not be meeting the unique or most urgent needs of
the industry.

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  T-RCED-94-62
     TITLE:  Aquabusiness: Financing Is Difficult, But Some Financial 
             and Other Assistance Is Available From USDA
      DATE:  11/10/93
   SUBJECT:  Business development loans
             Oceanographic research
             Government guaranteed loans
             Aquaculture
             Agricultural industry
             Marine resources development
             Food industry
             Agricultural programs
IDENTIFIER:  FmHA Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program
             
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