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Through out recorded history, we have always had people whose job it was to toil with the land and grow food for the rest of us. Once upon a time they were called Slaves, then as we became civilised they became known as Peasants and now the modern term used is Farmers. Farmers work their guts out to grow food for the rest of us who live comfortable lives in the cities and towns. Throughout history Slaves and Peasants devoted their sorry lives working hard for the city people for very little reward and the times haven't changed. There is no money in Farming. Once you become a Farmer, there is no escape. You are trapped by Debt. Once you get into Debt, you lose your freedom. Debt keeps the farmers on the land. The Government, for political reasons, pretends that it tries to keep farmers on the land. When things are tough, The Government offers Financial Assistance Loans with concessional interest rates and the Government takes out security on these emergency loans. However hardly anyone qualifies for these loans because nearly all farmers have no security to offer because they are already fully mortgaged up to their eye balls with various other Financial Institutions. Gov't assistance is a joke. When you buy food in the shop, only about 15% of the purchase price goes to the actual farmer. The other 85% is taken by the transport companies and the Super Markets. The Farmers are screwed big time. I don't mind paying a high price for my food, as long as most of the money goes to the poor old Farmer. With such low reward for their efforts, they are never able to get themselves out of debt. It becomes a hopeless situation. Whenever a Farmer has a good year, instead of getting rid of debt, most farmers spend their excess money on new equipment. When there is a drought in Australia, Depression and Suicide jumps dramatically amongst the Farming Community and Rural Communities in Australia. We have one of the highest Rural suicide rates in the world. Farmers and small country towns do not have access to the mental health services and support groups that people in the cities have access do. Sometimes droughts last for several years, or food prices collapse, and a Farmer could go several years without any income at all. How do you reckon these poor farmers feel when this happens ? How do they support their families ? Australia (a food producer) also imports alot of food from other countries which is cheaper than the locally produced food. Again this is another stab in the back for farmers. In alot of fruit growing areas of Australia, farmers are burning their orchards as there is no money in growing fruit anymore. This is a trajedy. Why The Hell Would Anyone Want To Be A Farmer ? It's a mugs profession. Most Farmers are born as Farmers and I guess this is who becomes a farmer. I cannot see why a City Dweller with a comfortable life and income would want to give that away to go farming ? I think the days of the small land owning Farmer are over. _________________________ Intro & Outro - Kevin Blight (Stratboy999)