Structure of agriculture: the policy issue
Breimyer, H.F.
Southern Journal of Agricultural Economics 5(1): 1-8
1973
Document Number: 210047
The USA is approaching a crisis decision as to the kind of economy and kind of government that are to prevail through the ending years of the 20th century. The issue of the future structure of agriculture is part and parcel of the economy and, therefore, also of the structure of the government that necessarily gives direction to the economy. The organizational goals for the future are listed as: (1) high farm productivity; (2) social stability; (3) optimum performance in food production and distribution; (4) conservation of resources, environmental protection; (5) development of rural communities; (6) opportunities for employment. The question is then examined of how various kinds of organization of agricultural rate when measured against these goals, with special attention to absentee land holding of family sized farms, grant-unit operatorship, and contractual integration. The main argument points toward a decentralized agriculture, avoiding bringing farmers into mass organization and mass contest, and land into monopoly control. Any agriculture of the future must relieve the perils of the times and pursue the goals set for it. The paper is discussed by M. R. Godwin.