To address these data inaccuracies, the GAO has proposed six recommendations, including modernizing the USDA's reporting system and establishing an online platform for data submission. However, due to budgetary limitations, these improvements remain unimplemented, despite a congressional mandate to establish an online reporting system by 2025.
The flawed reporting has fueled legislative action in various states, aiming to restrict foreign land ownership, particularly by nations perceived as adversaries. Republican leaders have echoed these concerns, advocating for stricter control over foreign land acquisitions in the US.
The USDA, in its current capacity, reports that foreign investors, including those from China, hold a minor portion of the total US farmland. However, the accuracy of this data is now in question.
This situation underscores the need for a more reliable and transparent approach to tracking foreign investment in US agricultural land, balancing the need for national security with the integrity of agricultural data reporting. This balance is crucial for ensuring the protection of America's food supply and agricultural interests.