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Looking For Government'S Role As An Agricultural Safety Net

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  • Dorfman, Jeffrey H.

Abstract

What makes agriculture especially deserving of an active government safety net? What is different about agricultural production? Are we concerned about a safe and reliable food supply or about farmers' incomes and returns to assets? Those who make farm policy base their arguments on all of these points: the diffuse nature of agricultural production, the inherent production risk in agriculture, the need for a safe and reliable food supply, shortcomings in farm income, and low returns to assets in agriculture. This paper addresses these points and, in so doing, rules out some of these concerns as legitimate bases for current agricultural policies. By focusing on those that are genuine, U.S. farm policy could spend limited resources in areas where the most good could be done, thus benefiting both farmers and taxpayers.

Suggested Citation

  • Dorfman, Jeffrey H., 2000. "Looking For Government'S Role As An Agricultural Safety Net," Journal of Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics Association of Georgia, vol. 18(1), pages 1-10, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:jloagb:14707
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.14707
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vincent H. Smith & Barry K. Goodwin, 1995. "The Economics of Crop Insurance and Disaster Aid," Books, American Enterprise Institute, number 53374, September.
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    3. Alan J. Auerbach & Joel Slemrod, 1997. "The Economic Effects of the Tax Reform Act of 1986," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 35(2), pages 589-632, June.
    4. Thomas O. Knight & Keith H. Coble, 1997. "Survey of U.S. Multiple Peril Crop Insurance Literature Since 1980," Review of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 19(1), pages 128-156.
    5. Barry K. Goodwin & François Ortalo-Magné, 1992. "The Capitalization of Wheat Subsidies into Agricultural Land Values," Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society/Societe canadienne d'agroeconomie, vol. 40(1), pages 37-54, March.
    6. Gardner, Bruce L, 1992. "Changing Economic Perspectives on the Farm Problem," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 30(1), pages 62-101, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gray, Allan W. & Boehlje, Michael & Gloy, Brent A. & Slinsky, Stephen P., 2002. "Government Program Payment Mechanisms, Crop Revenue Coverage Insurance, and the Return to Farm Land," 2002 Regional Committee NC-221, October 7-8, 2002, Denver, Colorado 132370, Regional Research Committee NC-1014: Agricultural and Rural Finance Markets in Transition.

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