Sustainable farming is no longer a fringe, niche market. It is still much smaller than traditional farming, but is quickly gaining the ability to affect public policy. Even so there remain those who are against public policy changes of any kind, especially in regards to sustainable farms.
Governmental Role
Before any type of policy debate can begin, it’s important to determine what type of policy is best. There are those who believe that the government need not interfere with sustainable farming practises. This is partially because they wish to stay off the grid, and feel that would become impossible with governmental involvement.
On the other hand, those who come from the libertarian right have a dose of skepticism as well, believing governmental involvement would distort the market.
Tax Cuts
Tax cuts are the most common way for a government to aid businesses, and this could be done with sustainable farms as well. The key is for the government to decide what kinds of taxes should be cut, and what is viable in the mind of tax agencies.
There are a few disadvantages to this approach, however. Farming relies greatly on infrastructure provided by the government. It depends on taxation, and lower taxation means less infrastructure.
Bans
The government is rather good at banning things. That is the most active thing they can do in support of sustainable farming: simply ban damaging practises used by their competitors. This will have a two-fold effect, not only aiding smaller farms, but moving larger-scale operations towards sustainable methods.
Banning the use of damaging chemicals is the most practical place to start. This can be done simply by appealing to the health of the environment and public safety: both fair cases to make.
Loan Schemes
The Scandinavian government has become famous for using loan schemes as a way to aid small farmers. This is done with cooperation between private financial institutions, rather than by borrowing money directly from the government. This means there are still rates to pay and you’ll still need approval for a loan, but it’s far easier to obtain than traditional loans.
The scheme comes in the form of tax breaks, with the government providing guarantees for obtaining loans in the first place. This will make banks more likely to provide you with the loans you need, with better rates than you would otherwise expect.
What Is Sustainable?
To truly aid sustainable farms, the government must set clear guidelines as to what sustainable farms are in the first place. This will make it easier to understand who is entitled to government assistance. At the same time, this measure will help buyers who wish to work with the businesses, making it easier to recognize which farms are worthy of their trust and investment.
Water Usage
Water is essential for farming, and is one of the most crucial resources a farm can possess. It’s a limited one as well, which is why government regulations must be strict. The government should regulate who uses water, and how. This will force farms to modify their water usage, moving to irrigate their crops in ways that are not damaging to profits or local food sources. This may be the trickiest policy to enact, and the most complex in terms of governmental tax.
Conclusion
There are many ways in which the government helps small businesses. Many believe that policies should be enacted specifically to help sustainable farms. The policies should aim to help establish and run these farms in a more efficient way.