Farming isn’t what it used to be, following breakthroughs in technology and production practices that promise greater efficiency, healthier foodstuffs, less dependence on chemicals and increased markets overseas. Yet many policy makers in Washington are oblivious to these developments as they are preoccupied with the federal deficit.
Not since the New Deal has agriculture played such a central role in Washington politics —but rather than food security, the focus is squarely on spending cuts. Democratic and Republican budget negotiators are considering cuts in commodity payments and crop insurance totaling $34 billion over 10 years – which if approved would be more than a 50 percent reduction in the $63 billion currently projected to be spent on government commodity price and income supports in the coming decade.
Read Full Article »