> In Britain, as in America, the greater part of farm goods are produced
> by agri-business. Small farms are largely inefficient. In consequence,
> they are going out of business.
Small farms' inefficiency in the U.S. has a lot to do with their lack of market power. They pay more for inputs and get less for their products. In addition, university research systems for decades have catered to the needs of large farmers.
In California, large farms get more than their share of subsidized water. Cheap water is the key to "efficiency" in our state. Any idiot can make a profit with cheap water.
>
>
> What should be done? I would say, retrain the redundant farmers on full
> pay for work they can earn a living with. For many years governments in
> Europe and America have resisted that solution by subsidising farmers.
> That's not bad in itself, but drawn to its conclusion, it means that we
> are subsidising their hobbies.
> --
> Jim heartfield
-- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929
Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu