Eric Scholosser, the author of Fast Food Nation, penned an OP ED piece in the New York Times yesterday (link) about how Burger King should pay more for its Florida tomatoes. He argues that paying a penny more a pound for tomatoes could be directed right to the migrant workers, making their lives better.
Funny enough as he points out in the column that these farms in Florida are having a hard time keeping wages up as they have to compete with MEXICAN farms. So the impact of the extra penny would make it harder for Mexican farms to compete, thereby encouraging more migration to the United States, where being a day laborer may be more difficult.
Is this the best way to improve the lives of these workers?
Showing posts with label agriculture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label agriculture. Show all posts
Friday, November 30, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Agriculture and Development
Although fewer and fewer Americans are working in agriculture (see yesterday), in a lot the developing world agriculture (particularly Africa) employs a large majority of the population. This past Friday the World Bank released its annual World Development Report this one features the role of agriculture in development.
Some highlights from the press release linked here
“Agriculture consumes 85 percent of the world’s utilized water and the sector contributes to deforestation, land degradation, and pollution. The report recommends measures to achieve more sustainable production systems and outlines incentives to protect the environment.”
“…in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the [agricultural] sector employs 65 percent of the labor force and generates 32 percent of GDP growth.”
“The report says rich countries need to reform policies which harm the poor. For example, it is vital that the United States reduces cotton subsidies which depress prices for African smallholders.”
Some highlights from the press release linked here
“Agriculture consumes 85 percent of the world’s utilized water and the sector contributes to deforestation, land degradation, and pollution. The report recommends measures to achieve more sustainable production systems and outlines incentives to protect the environment.”
“…in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the [agricultural] sector employs 65 percent of the labor force and generates 32 percent of GDP growth.”
“The report says rich countries need to reform policies which harm the poor. For example, it is vital that the United States reduces cotton subsidies which depress prices for African smallholders.”
Monday, October 22, 2007
Two Orcs for Every Farmer
There are 4 million World of War Craft players, there are 2 million farmers (link) and 3 million Agricultural Workers in the US. Of those 3 million it is estimated that about ½ a million are immigrants working without proper authorization. On top of that appears that farmers are increasingly having a difficult time bringing in workers is through the H2A guest worker program.
The immigration debate is now coming to places like Zanesville, Ohio and Omaha, Nebraska. However, as the number of farmers shrinks will they have the ability to shape the US's immigration policy.
The immigration debate is now coming to places like Zanesville, Ohio and Omaha, Nebraska. However, as the number of farmers shrinks will they have the ability to shape the US's immigration policy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)