Home

Farming Boom Goes Bust

Comments

Sat, 08/29/2009 - 10:05 — Jessica (not verified) in Atlanta

U.S. Agri-Business and Its Competitors

It seems that a contributing reason as to why agriculture in the U.S. has been one of the last few industries to be "hit" by the recession is the fact that it is and has been for some time, highly subsidized by the U.S. Government. This helps with a certain amount of financial security while functioning in a state of national and global economic recession.

This subsidization of U.S. Agri-Business has aided in creating a huge advantage when competing in the global market. However, while American Farmers has had such a significant gain in this area, many agricultural sectors in other economies around the world have not. Those countries that, at one point would have imported U.S. goods into their country, may now consider turning to more local farmers (who up until this point have been affected very negatively due to trade agreements that aim to open up trade all barriers).

This creates protectionism which is a big no-no in a liberalized, free market society. If this is indeed the case then this would have great benefits for poor peasant farmers in their home country (i.e. Mexico, Jamaica, etc) but U.S. Agri-Business will continue to suffer greatly.

Post new comment

Your email address is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <img> <blockquote>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.

More information about formatting options


Stories We're Watching
Subscribe

Sen. Bernie Sanders Introcudes 10 Million Solar Roofs Bill

Ode Magazine - Sun, 02/07/2010 - 09:22
Last week, Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced a bill calling for 10 million new solar rooftops and 200,000 solar hot water heating systems within the next ten years.

G7 Pledges to Wipe Out Haiti Debt

Al Jazeera - Sun, 02/07/2010 - 03:59
UK prime minister says "a nation buried in rubble must not also be buried in debt."

Interview with World Bank Head Robert Zoellick

Newsweek - Fri, 02/05/2010 - 11:44
Since the financial crisis hit, the World Bank has provided a record $89 billion to support development initiatives around the world. Much of this funding has gone to Africa, which is a special focus of president Robert B. Zoellick.

Clinton to Lead Haiti Aid Efforts

Al Jazeera - Thu, 02/04/2010 - 08:14
Bill Clinton, the former U.S. president, has been appointed to co-ordinate international relief efforts to earthquake-stricken Haiti.

In India, A Salon A Cut Above the Rest

Time Magazine - Tue, 02/09/2010 - 06:50
Thanks to rising disposable incomes, designer hairstyling is finally making the cut with India's middle class.
See all Breaking News >

Recent comments

Countries

An initiative of Mercy Corps
“You must be the change
you wish to see in the world”
— Mahatma Gandhi
Learn more about Mercy Corps >

Efficiency

Over the last five years, more than 89% of Mercy Corps' resources have been allocated directly to programs

Excellence

America's premier charity evaluator gives Mercy Corps four stars in organizational efficiency. Click here to learn more.

High Value

Every dollar you donate to Mercy Corps helps us secure $11.16 in donated food and other critical supplies.

Mercy Corps — Dept. W — 45 SW Ankeny — Portland, OR 97204
 All original content Copyright © 2009 Mercy Corps. Quoted and linked content is property of the creator(s). Mercy Corps will not sell, rent or trade your personal information.