ABSTRACT
Large-scale farmers, measured in number of acres, produce more agricultural goods and higher yields per worker. Large-scale farmers seem more efficient, but they actually only produce more in quantity and value with fewer workers and more land. In the popular and scientific mind, efficiency is usually associated with large-scale farm operations and inefficiency with small-scale farms. Large-scale producers receive disproportionate advantages from the government in payments, tax and labor laws, buying farm inputs, and marketing products. Family farmers, especially in contrast to large-scale industrial farm operators, are motivated by the desire to achieve the ideals of family farming. Intensification of farming and economies of scale are also frequently confused, as both result in increased production. Large-scale producers receive discounts for bulk purchases of inputs, such as fertilizers, insecticides, feed, and fuel. Large-scale farmers bypass not only local stores when they purchase inputs, but also local market outlets when they market their crops and livestock.
