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Optimal Agricultural Policy: Small Gains?

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  • Kai Ding
  • Filippo Rebessi

Abstract

Agricultural subsidies distort the allocation of workers across sectors, and may keep too many workers in agriculture. We use a general equilibrium model with endogenous sector selection calibrated to the U.S. economy to assess the efficiency loss and redistribution effect of the current transfer system. Eliminating current subsidies has two main effects: (1) small efficiency gains (around 4% of agricultural output) and (2) a corresponding rise in the price of agricultural goods. We find high‐productivity farmers to be the main beneficiaries of the existing policies, although some of the transfers generate a redistribution effect toward low‐productivity agents, which extends beyond the agricultural sector. (JEL H21, H25, H30, J24, J31, J43)

Suggested Citation

  • Kai Ding & Filippo Rebessi, 2020. "Optimal Agricultural Policy: Small Gains?," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 58(4), pages 1907-1928, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:58:y:2020:i:4:p:1907-1928
    DOI: 10.1111/ecin.12901
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H21 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Efficiency; Optimal Taxation
    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • H30 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - General
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J43 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Agricultural Labor Markets

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