[Tainari88]

Hello, it is important to discuss food sovereignty for a better future:

Colonization.

Imperialism.

Slavery.

Food insecurity.

What is important about this in your opinion for your region of the world? In your nation do you have to eat the majority of your diet from imported product?

[Puffer Fish]

Well, this certainly flies in the face of all the pro-globalism free trade arguments we hear.

[Puffer Fish]

Farmers of wheat and rice in India and Mexico have been driven off their farms by falling prices, and were forced to take even more unpleasant menial jobs in overcrowded cities, where the cost of housing is less affordable. The poor in Mexico cannot afford their traditional food, tortillas, because American companies are buying all the mexican corn to make ethanol and corn syrup. Unfortunately corn is a more demanding crop than wheat (consumes much more water), and cannot be grown in most of the abandoned wheat fields. No doubt this is just driving even more illegal immigration over the border.

[Patrickov]

Farmers of wheat and rice in India and Mexico have been driven off their farms by falling prices

Why is this the case? Aren't both food in high demand?

[Puffer Fish]

Why is this the case? Aren't both food in high demand?

The US, with its larger corporate owned fields and more advanced automated harvesters, can supply wheat at a lower price than it is possible for many small farmers in Mexico to sell wheat at.
Part of the reason may be the climate too. Where wheat is grown in the US, the soil dries out less due to the colder overall yearly temperatures, so a little bit less water is required.
When Mexico opened up its market to the US, US wheat flooded Mexico and put many small farmers out of business, since they could no longer compete. The US exports wheat to many other countries too, the US produces more wheat than it consumes. There are huge areas of the US where wheat can be grown but not much else can be commercially grown due to the colder drier climate. That is one reason that wheat is so plentiful, it is much easier to grow in places that would be difficult to grow other crops.