A group representing black farmers in the United States says the government is about to make a multi-million dollar settlement with them over accusations of discrimination.

The settlement -- which the group says could amount to more than three-hundred-million dollars -- comes after legal action taken by hundreds of black farmers who complain they were denied loans and subsidies given to their white counterparts.

The US Agriculture Department, which abolished its civil rights office under the former President, Ronald Reagan, has admitted that its procedures for dealing with discrimination complaints have been in disarray and have caused a huge backlog.