FW: WHICH ROAD TO QATAR: FOOD FIRST OR EXPORT FIRST?

[Michael Perelman]

Switching to export crops is not usually voluntary for many farmers.
Gavin Wright wrote a book about something similar in the US South.  Corn
was the logical crop for poor farmers, but the banks would only give
credit for growing cotton.  So, they had no choice.

Also, export crops may get extra support, such as irrigation project for
the large export farmers, which takes water away from the small farmers.

So, it is not as if everyone who wants to grow an export crop just chooses
to do so.

On Sun, Jul 01, 2001 at 12:15:56PM -0400, Doug Henwood wrote:
> Mark Jones wrote:
> 
> >Doug Henwood wrote:
> >>
> >>  Do farmers not want to export their crops?
> >
> >
> >Which farmers? And why would the "farmers" in question want to export their
> >crops?
> 
> Well let's ask them. I know U.S. farmers certainly like exporting 
> their crops. What about Indian farmers? Have we heard from them, or 
> is V. Shiva the designated spokesperson for them in their speechless 
> subalternity?
> 
> Doug

-- 
Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
Chico, CA 95929

Tel. 530-898-5321
E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu