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Drought-related
data can be better marshaled, interpreted, and disseminated to all
parties with an interest in drought, including the media and
public at large, so that citizens and experts in drought
management alike can gain the knowledge they need to help lessen
the impacts of drought.
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Drought-related
research is the foundation of many drought programs and is
critical in the production of high-quality innovations and
technology that lead to improved drought preparedness.
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Even
the best preparedness measures may not sufficiently reduce many
risks associated with drought nor eliminate the need for emergency
relief during severe droughts.
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There
is considerable sentiment among farmers, ranchers, and tribes to
make the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s crop insurance more
responsive to their needs by extending coverage to include all
crops and livestock.
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Disaster
declarations are much less common for severe urban droughts than
for agricultural droughts. Like agricultural droughts, however,
they will occur despite the best preparedness measures.
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Federal
drought-related programs lack a coordinated approach so that
delivery of program services is less efficient, effective, and
timely than it could be. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and
other federal agencies involved in assisting people with drought
activities need to improve their internal and external
coordination practices to provide services more appropriately and
expediently.
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Some
federal drought-related programs are neither authorized nor funded
at the level needed to deliver effective services. Furthermore,
their eligibility criteria and cost-sharing requirements may
restrict participation by tribes, farmers and ranchers, and others
who may have limited resources.
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