President Donald Trump announced Monday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will launch a new $8 billion program to help farmers offset diesel costs during the harvest season.

Trump unveiled the initiative, which he called the “harvest fuel relief program,” during a midterm election campaign speech in Kansas. The proposed assistance is intended to ease the financial burden of fuel expenses during one of the busiest periods of the agricultural calendar, when farmers depend on diesel-powered machinery to harvest crops and transport their products.

“Tonight, I'm also pleased to announce that the Department of Agriculture will be launching a new harvest fuel relief program, providing our farmers with $8 billion in support to offset diesel costs during this harvest season,” Trump said.

Diesel is a major operating expense for many farms, powering tractors, combines, grain trucks and other equipment needed to bring crops from fields to market. Fuel costs can affect farm profitability, particularly when producers are also facing expenses for fertilizer, seed, machinery, labor and transportation.

The announcement signals an effort by the Trump administration to provide additional financial support to the agricultural sector as farmers navigate seasonal expenses. Harvest costs can have a significant impact on farm finances, especially for operations working with narrow profit margins or facing uncertainty over crop prices.

Trump did not provide further details about how the $8 billion would be distributed, which farmers would qualify, or when payments would begin. The Agriculture Department is expected to provide additional information about the program’s implementation.