Farmers speak out on government subsidies - 8 Sep 2007

Many had hoped this year's APEC summit might re-ignite the Doha round of trade talks - aimed at liberalising trade around the world. So far though, there's been little progress. Al Jazeera hears the story of a US farmer who says he cannot survive without government subsidies. Achmad Rifai, an Indonesian farmer also tells Al Jazeera in his own words about his battle to keep working in Indonesia.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Doha
• trade
• talks
• Farming
• government
• subsidies
• Indonesia
• US
• Al
• Jazeera

[marshall2411]

@whoo689 right on!

[jdanylkiw]

What this farmer doesn't realize is that he'd be put out of business if the Indonesian government offered subsidies like the US government offers subsidies. US subsidies do nothing but favour big agribusiness.

[whoo689]

No taxpayer dollars should be going towards propping up private individuals or companies. Not even charities. They should raise their own money. I hate redistribution of wealth. It's a sham. That's not what gov't is for. It's to protect the people, their property and their rights. That's the main purpose. Gov't money should only go to constitutional, small-gov't projects that we all basically agree on: roads, bridges, security, etc. No bailouts or subsidies.

[whoo689]

Individuals should work hard and earn their own living. And if they can't, they should get different jobs or better job skills. I'm tired of crappy laborers here in America and elsewhere whining about how they can't succeed without the help of gov't. Taxpayers SHOULD NOT have to finance your inability to survive! Deal with it yourself. Rewarding bad behavior only gives us more of it. Eliminating subsidies would give people an incentive to better themselves and find opportunity.

[whoo689]

Can't survive without subsidies? Tough shit! You shouldn't be farming at all! Let better farmers take your place and pick up the slack. I'm a libertarian. I believe the free market should be a real free market. No subsidies, no exceptions. No silly distorting the market with bailouts, either. No gov't central planning. Things will all work out for the best if we let them. Sure, not everyone will win, but that's life. Life's not fair. Get used to it.

[farmeramerican]

After listening to Ron Suppes's comments, the only reason I can find for why he feels US farm subsidies are justified is because he's in debt. Huh? Debt is individually created and should be individually serviced. The rest of the country should not "pitch in and help out" Mr. Suppes so he can enjoy the benefits of the US taxpayer's sweat. This is not the kind of attitude that made America great.

[gearzone2611]

I Dont know what kind of government role in Indonesia. But subsidizing farmers through the use of people's money is not the solutions. I think the better way is to get the government out of farmers. Very often, farmers get more huge amount of money and some people working in government might tell this farmer what to do or how and so. Those exceeded amount of money might be used to something not knowing. This is corrupt. Local communities & private programs is an appropriate ways of dealing this!

[TarraLuvsJesus]

you think america's government is corrupt, indonesia government is horrible!! they don't give a damn about their people (my husband is from there)and I'm from Kansas and both have family in farming. I totally sympathize with these people.

[Slimdawgc]

Keep in mind that this report shows only anecdotal data, not statistics. I'm not dismissing your position, but you need statistical data to support it.

[dawadd]

Its funny how US gov only spends $389 million on farm subsidies a year,but fund there terror and theft of oil at a cost of more than a billion dollars a month.Ya home of the brave land of the free...to screw you all.wake up america!!Say no to Bush's war and to the corporate elites N A U & the SPP B 4 its 2 L8