A farm subsidy is a form of financial aid paid to farmers by the government. The purpose of the aid can be to supplement their income or influence the cost and supply of agricultural products. The U.S. government pays farmers more than $20 Billion a year in farm subsidies. Proponents argue that the subsides are necessary since net farm income has decline by 32% between 2014 and 2015. Opponents argue that the farmers should fend for themselves and point out that 2,300 farmers who do not grow crops receive annual subsidies.
@M8X2PV5 m5Y
Only the small farmers not the big business farms who are making huge profits.
@KBHYLT5 m5Y
The Federal Goverment should help farmers and organic famers. Monsanto is a monster that needs to be reined in. Monsanto should not be allowed to do the things they do and sale the food they do. How is it possible this has been passed by the FDA. FDA should be ashamed to pass this junk off as food to our kids and population. Thank GOD BBC doesn't hold back on what is going on with them.
@KCQS7D5 m5Y
Most farm subsidies go to giant corporations like Monsanto. We need to end corporate farm subsidies and offer them to small independent farmers. And stop subsiding corn farmers and anyone who helps produce high fructose corn syrup/
@M2BDQK5 m5Y
Yes, but only to small and organic farmers. Not to corn and factory farms.
@2HWMWTZ5 m5Y
Let the government keep their hands out of the farmer's pockets. If a farmer is starting out then the opportunity to receive a loan should be offered. The loan should be set at a 1% interest rate for the duration of 15 years. Such a time would allow the farmer to make profit through the free market while at the same time bringing in a trickle of income for the government without being too much of a burden to said farmer.
@M9GS335 m5Y
There should be no subsidies for the crops that are adding to our obesity problems such as wheat and corn. If something must be subsidized it should be vegetables and other healthy crops so healthy foods will be cheaper. We don't need subsidies for crops that are going primarily for potato chips, sodas, cereals, bread etc.
@M994H25 m5Y
Subsidize small,organic and American farmers not corporations and foreign owned
@MZRKP95 m5Y
Yes, but not as much and not for corporate farms except in a narrow set of circumstances and we should move towards paying the actual cost of food produced.
@LW48SP5 m5Y
Yes, include organic farmers, but cut factory farm subsidies.
@N9C62S5 m5Y
Yes to the extent that US Farmer remain competitive in the global market but the subsidies programs should be reassessed and modified not to promote over production of corn and soy and also to include more programs for medium/small scale agriculture that is not single-crop driven.
