problem. We will eventually move to a land conversion program.
Thus, we will have a continuation of the issues surrounding programs
for retiring land and also for facilitating the transfer of human re-
sources out of agriculture through training and other inducements.
I see a continuation of the struggle for markets for agricultural
products in the decade ahead. Trade issues will continue. Approxi-
mately one-sixth of our agricultural products are being exported in
competition with many other countries, with special arrangements for
moving their products in the export market. I see an issue arising in
the United States of what kind of a mechanism we are going to use
to increase our exports in this very unsettled world market. I am not
saying that the development of marketing boards is an answer, but
some mechanism that allows us to do more effectively what some of
the countries like Denmark, Canada, Australia, and others are doing
will be an issue.
Domestically bargaining power and pricing for agricultural prod-
ucts will continue to be an issue in the seventies. The reduction in
the number of buyers and sellers of agricultural products and the
drive for greater efficiency in the physical movement of the commod-
ities will keep pressure on this area.
Now let us turn to some of the more general policy questions that
will be of concern to all agriculture and to all citizens.
Population control and location will be on the policy agenda in
the seventies. How far should government go in modifying population
growth? How far should it go in modifying population location? Do
we shape government policies to continue the consolidation of popula-
tion in a few general areas through the development of rapid ground
transportation or do we shape them to disperse the population more
widely throughout a major part of the United States? We have the
choice of going either way.
It seems inevitable that we will have a modification in our welfare
program in the near future. Both Democrats and Republicans are
agreed that we need a change. I think we will have a family assistance
or negative income tax type of program for all low-income people.
This will put a floor under their income, but it does not solve the prob-
lems of the disadvantaged in the rural areas. Their fundamental prob-
lem involves individual development. It involves their technical, eco-
nomic, social, and political development. This is a long-run problem,
and many issues will be raised concerning how such programs should
be conducted. It would be convenient if the problem of the dis-
advantaged could be solved by just giving people money, but those
that dig below the surface recognize that much more is involved. We
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