It’s coming to a head. There have been ongoing farmer protests. The farmers are resisting reforms that would eliminate or reduce subsidies. The government is trying to get out from under the cost of subsidies. The farmers can’t afford life without subsidies, or a lot of other people can’t afford to eat at the unsubsidized market prices. But it’s a huge burden on the budget. If subsidies end, the days of small autonomous farmers will end and it will end up mechanized, a corporate serfdom, or (most likely) both of the above. And, yes, for this type of rice havestors exist. We saw one, a tiny one by American standards, over the many sq km of fields we passed by.
Most of the rice in the California central valley is machine harvested, and more farms are going corporate every year. Rice is a huge crop there also. The lion’s share of sushi rice is grown there.
Think of how many people would be out of work if they started having machines do it (if rice can even be harvested with machines?)
LikeLiked by 3 people
It’s coming to a head. There have been ongoing farmer protests. The farmers are resisting reforms that would eliminate or reduce subsidies. The government is trying to get out from under the cost of subsidies. The farmers can’t afford life without subsidies, or a lot of other people can’t afford to eat at the unsubsidized market prices. But it’s a huge burden on the budget. If subsidies end, the days of small autonomous farmers will end and it will end up mechanized, a corporate serfdom, or (most likely) both of the above. And, yes, for this type of rice havestors exist. We saw one, a tiny one by American standards, over the many sq km of fields we passed by.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Sorry to hear the dilemma that exists. I hope the subsidies continue.
LikeLiked by 3 people
The govt backed down recently, but I doubt it’s permanently rectified- just kicked down the line for now.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Most of the rice in the California central valley is machine harvested, and more farms are going corporate every year. Rice is a huge crop there also. The lion’s share of sushi rice is grown there.
LikeLiked by 4 people
It’s amazing to me that rice is grown in the desert of CA. The last bag of sushi rice I bought was Cal Rose.
LikeLiked by 4 people