The National Agricultural Policy: The Farm Bill - Essay Example

? The Farm Bill The Farm Bill The government policies and amendments significantly impact the field of biotechnology. This is primarily because of the close association among the agricultural, economic and food industry with the changing biological techniques. The Farm Bill is a substantially large statute which typically deals with the regulation of farm production and its relative prices (Pinkerton, 2013). Moreover, it designs the national agricultural policy along with its future implications on the food system. It is revised after every five years under the supervision of Congress. This paper aims to critically analyze The Farm Bill and its relative impact on biotechnology. Additionally, the effect of government policies on the overall performance and production of farms shall be discussed. The Firm Bill is broadly defined as an omnibus legislation program which is based on multi-year authorization of farm production. It is typically designed to govern agricultural production and farmers through different food programs along with financial and legal support (Johnson & Monke, 2013). In USA the agricultural policies are part of some other major laws and therefore they are created and altered by freestanding legislation. However, the Farm Bill gives a forecasting opportunity to policy makers in order to expansively and sporadically addresses the issues of agriculture and food sector. It is therefore renewed approximately after every five years so as to meet the challenges of the modern world and also to play its vital role in the development of biotechnology (Johnson & Monke, 2013). It was initially implemented in USA somewhere in 1930 (Johnson & Monke, 2013). At that time its primary motive was to ensure commodity prices of rice, cotton, wheat, corn, soybeans and diary. Moreover, it was programmed to extend maximum income support to the farmers. However, later on due to the advancements in biotechnology and the changing political and economic dynamics few order things were included as part of the Farm Bill. For instance, currently it is responsible to assist nutrition and conversion, bio energy programs and horticulture in addition to insurance, credit, extended financial support, research and rural development (Mayrand, et. al., 2013). Following is a brief description of the functions and provision of The Farm Bill 2008 (Johnson & Monke, 2013): Commodity Programs: As per the commodity programs, farmers are provided extensive financial support which is also termed as the ‘safety net’. It gives the required training to the farmers to enhance their disaster management skills and enable them to securely manage production risks, market fluctuations etc. Moreover, it includes a detailed description of government purchases. Conservation: It encourages management of farmlands and other natural environment through different working land programs. It protects and safeguards the resource material, tools and other equipment used in the progress of agricultural products. Primarily four broad programs are part of this category i.e. Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), Quality Incentive Program (QIP), Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Trade: It typically deals with the export program of USA. It has to be consistent with the international trade policies while performing its functions as per the instructions of World Trade Organization. Market access program is one of its major concerns. Nutrition: Households and individuals have varying nutritional demands and therefore this program is designed to care for the food needs of general population. It has introduced the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Emergency Food Assistance Program which ensures the availability of quality food in schools and children associations. Credit: It defines the loan policies and the financial support planned by the government. Farmers can easily avail credits in order to increase their production while maintaining superior quality. Rural Development: Progress and development of rural areas across the agricultural sector are supported by different business and community programs. These are basically designed with the mutual association of local and state government. They include: planning, evaluation, feasibility and coordination of different activities. The primary concern of rural development is to ensure safe infrastructure and the availability of modern technology in the area. Research, Extension and Related Matters: Research is one of the most important factors in the overall development of agricultural sectors. Farmers are required to increase their production through innovative ideas and the use of biotechnology furthers support by the government. The major research programs include: bio security and organic production. Forestry: It ensures the accurate implementation of US Forestry Services in addition to supporting all forest management programs. Energy: It increases the energy supply to the agricultural sector through bio fuel and other renewable energy resources. Farmers are encouraged to use these systems through suitable research, necessary education and demonstration of energy utilization. Horticulture: It supports the production of nuts, fruits and special vegetables. Livestock: Poultry producers face huge problems in terms of livestock which are primarily matched by this program. Crop Insurance and Disaster Assistance: Risk management and crop insurance is done under the assistance of federal government. Miscellaneous: It includes other issues related to agricultural security and underprivileged farmers. Impacts of the Farm Bill The Farm Bill has greatly supported the farmers and agricultural system of the US economy through the provision of different programs. It has facilitated advanced research methods which subsequently increase the crop production. With respect to biotechnology it has substantially supported the development of new equipment and agricultural programs. However, despite of its various positive impacts on the economy, some of the farmers are dissatisfied by its functions (Jackson-Smith, et. al., 2013). They believe that the bill does not distinguish between the needy and already privileged farmers and hence people who do not deserve extended income and financial support are also benefitted by the Farm Bill. Hence the government should include a detailed criterion for farmers who can qualify to avail the immense opportunities. Moreover, the techniques and procedure applied in biotechnology have become significantly complex due to government interventions which must be brought under discussion too (Bullion, 2013). Changes in the future Farm Bills House Agriculture Committee and the Senate have planned to eradicate the commodity programs while introducing revenues for losses. Moreover, an entirely new commodity program based on profits shall be enforced along with the supplemental crop insurance in the upcoming Farm Bills (Paulson, et. al., 2013). References Bullion, M. (2013, Jan 8). The positives and negatives of the Farm Bill. Retrieved Sep 24, 2013, from A Granite Broadcasting Station. Jackson-Smith, D., Ulrich-Schad, J.D. & Grimm, C. (2013). Assessing the Impacts of Federal Farm Bill Programs on Rural Communities. USA: Agree Transforming Food and Ag Policy. Johnson, R. &. Monke, J. (2013). What Is the Farm Bill? . USA: Congressional Research Service. Mayrand, K., Dionne, S., Paquin, M. & Pageot-LeBel, I. (2003). The Economic and Environmental Impacts of Agricultural Subsidies: An Assessment of the 2002 US Farm Bill and Doha Round. Canada: Unisfera International Centre. Paulson, N.D., Woodard, J.D. & Babcock, B. (2013). Modelling “shallow loss” crop revenue programs: Issues and implications for the 2013 Farm Bill. Agricultural Finance Review , 329 - 344. DOI: 10.1108/AFR-11-2012-0060 Pinkerton, A. (2013, Aug 3). The Farm Bill: A Caricature of Contradiction. Retrieved Sep 24, 2013, from Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy. Read More