(NAFB.com) – Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says USDA is providing $2.3 billion to help American producers maintain and develop markets for their commodities. Some of the funds will use U.S. commodities to boost international food aid. A request for the funding initially came from the Senate Ag Committee’s leadership, so USDA will be utilizing funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation to address challenges related to trade and food insecurity impacting U.S. farmers and the international community. USDA will use $1.3 billion for the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program and support for specialty crop industries to diversify export markets. One billion will go to help address global hunger. “The Commodity Credit Corporation continues addressing the needs of American producers as significant and unpredictable challenges arise,” Vilsack says. “Those challenges impact the international commodity markets and global food insecurity in the face of an ongoing conflict.” The goal is to strengthen the U.S. position in global markets.