V_Key
Well-known member
The Cost of Food
The productivity of American agriculture allows U.S. consumers to spend only 10% of their disposable income on food. French consumers spend 18%, British consumers spend 22% and Italian consumers spend 23%. In Japan, food expenditures eat up 26% of disposable income and in India the figure balloons to 51%. :!:
Increasing Productivity
Today, the average U.S. farmer raises enough food to feed 144 others. In 1990, the average farmer fed 129 others; in 1950, 27 others; and in 1940, 19 others. Though some people idealize the "old ways" of farming, they forget about how in the past crops were often negatively impacted by drought and insects and how animals were more vulnerable to predators, extreme weather and disease.
The productivity of American agriculture allows U.S. consumers to spend only 10% of their disposable income on food. French consumers spend 18%, British consumers spend 22% and Italian consumers spend 23%. In Japan, food expenditures eat up 26% of disposable income and in India the figure balloons to 51%. :!:
Increasing Productivity
Today, the average U.S. farmer raises enough food to feed 144 others. In 1990, the average farmer fed 129 others; in 1950, 27 others; and in 1940, 19 others. Though some people idealize the "old ways" of farming, they forget about how in the past crops were often negatively impacted by drought and insects and how animals were more vulnerable to predators, extreme weather and disease.