This article highlights how so many of the issues with have in agriculture are caused by a failure of the system, particularly our economic system. Some of the main factors contributing to food insecurity among farm workers are low wages, seasonal employment, lack of legal protections, employer control over housing and transportation, and immigration status. There are some programs, like the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) and local food banks that provide aid, but they do not fully address the structural injustices that keep farmers in poverty. In addition to this, large agricultural businesses have significant political and economic influence, often lobbying against labor protections that would improve wages and working conditions. Policymakers frequently prioritize business interests over workers’ rights, leaving farmers with little influence and power. Policies such as raising the minimum wage, extending labor protections to farmers, expanding food assistance eligibility regardless of immigration status, and improving access to affordable housing and transportation would help address these issues.
Reading this article makes me wonder about how farming systems are across the globe. In California and even within the rest of the United States, the people producing our food oftentimes do not have enough money or resources to get food for themselves to eat. Is it like this in other countries? Or are farmers generally paid more and therefore do not have the same food security issues that farmers here in the U.S. have. I would suspect that in other developed countries farmers are paid better wages and don’t have as many struggles with food security, but in lesser developed countries food security issues with farmers is even worse than in the U.S.
It is interesting that this article brings up the issue of undocumented immigrants working on farms. This really makes me wonder about the future of farming, especially in places like California that rely on the undocumented labor force, considering current politics. The Trump administration currently is cracking down on undocumented immigrants and deporting them. If huge populations of immigrants are being deported and can no longer work on farms in the U.S., that could have a significant impact on our agricultural system. I will be curious to see what happens with this situation.
1 comment:
One thing you mentioned that I completely forgot about was the effect of seasonal working. These men and women who work in California are often "used" to work other farms or areas when they are needed. This overuse leads to many working the job of 3 people and making the salary of half of one. I can't shake that number of $3.7 billion being made, yet we see no change in policy for these workers. The treatment of the people who are on the ass end of actually making this money is ridiculous. I also wonder what it's like around the rest of the world and sadly I predict it's similar and dare I say even worse. The United States is very far from perfect, but we have a somewhat successful industrial complex that allows food to be available to many. On the other hand, less developed countries may be at a point where this issue isn't even considered. While food is a very important topic in the world, human rights in other countries are still not equal to us and I feel like many governments around the world are focused on keeping it like that so they don't end up like us.
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