Organic farming could feed the world (says 20-year study)

[Bootstoots]

Here's a question: if we were to phase out most or all agricultural subsidies, what would happen? It seems that one of the biggest problems in American agriculture is that subsidies have distorted the market for major crops, especially corn, so that farmers have an incentive to grow as much as possible without regard for anything else, including the amount of corn that is being demanded. The net result is that we produce far too much corn, which all has to be eaten somehow, and the price of corn-based commodities, especially meat, is too low. It seems to me that we could solve a lot of our problems by just phasing out agricultural subsidies - is that right?

 

[Boundless]

Unless you had a world wide agreement it would mean nothing. Agriculture and food is a global business. Would you rather support your own farmers and keep production local, or allow the global forces take play and flood your market with cheap grain from abroad? With meat that has lower welfare standards? Agriculture needs supporting, but it also needs a global outlook if humanity is to progress and reduce those that have insufficient food. Sadly getting different nations to agree on anything is virtually impossible. We need an intervention by aliens who enforce it upon us.

 

[Narz]

I much prefer the concept of slow food. They put more emphassis on local and high quality products.

Can't argue with you there.

Here's a question: if we were to phase out most or all agricultural subsidies, what would happen? It seems that one of the biggest problems in American agriculture is that subsidies have distorted the market for major crops, especially corn, so that farmers have an incentive to grow as much as possible without regard for anything else, including the amount of corn that is being demanded. The net result is that we produce far too much corn, which all has to be eaten somehow, and the price of corn-based commodities, especially meat, is too low. It seems to me that we could solve a lot of our problems by just phasing out agricultural subsidies - is that right?

Not going to happen though, well maybe if Ron Paul won the presidency. Course if he changed everything at once the way he claimed to well, who knows what would happen.

Unless you had a world wide agreement it would mean nothing. Agriculture and food is a global business. Would you rather support your own farmers and keep production local, or allow the global forces take play and flood your market with cheap grain from abroad? With meat that has lower welfare standards? Agriculture needs supporting, but it also needs a global outlook if humanity is to progress and reduce those that have insufficient food. Sadly getting different nations to agree on anything is virtually impossible. We need an intervention by aliens who enforce it upon us.

I wish I had some interstellar buddies.