▶ Your Answer : According to the reading, the US government has provided agricultural subsidies to farmers since 20th century and it should continue to offer them to farmers. However, the professor contends that subsidies are not really beneficial for economy for three reasons.
First, she argues that subsidies have nothing to do with stabilizing the food supply. In fact, farmers in US, who have received subsidies actually produce corn, which is related to bio-fuel not to nation food supply. This contradicts to the reading passage's claim that extra money supply for farmers can encourage farmers to produce more food regardless of volatile weather which leads to stabilize the food supply.
Next, the professor points out that agricultural subsidies do not reduce the prices of the food overall. Instead, it would actually increase the price. That's because US government has helped farmers, who produce certain kind of products such as corn, wheat and rice. As a result, products like fruits and vegetables are less provided, which leads to high price of these products. This casts doubt on the reading passage's claim that the subsidies would make the food prices rise in general.
Finally, the professor explains that the extra money supports from US government would not be helpful economically. As there are many mechanical machines that can be used for efficient agriculture, farmers would not hire more workers although they receive subsidies. This refutes the reading passage's claim that subsidies would be beneficial for rural area since farmers will hire more workers to support increase amount of cultivation. |