Beyond the land issue: farm viability strategies

The issue of farmland retention or preservation must focus on both the farmland base and the economic viability of agriculture. Most jurisdictions in North America have tended to concentrate their concern on the land issue, often to the detriment of structural issues in agriculture and production. The following essay outlines the structural components of significance which must also be addressed if agricultural land retention policy is to be relevant in terms of enhancing and retaining a strong agricultural base. The components include: marketing —getting a price; reducing costs of agriculture; new farmer entry; the right to farm, and improving managerial capability of farmers.