Globalization and the Rural Economy

1
Globalization and the Rural Economy

• By
• Robbin S. Johnson
• Senior Vice President
• Cargill, Incorporated

2
Three Challenges to Rural Vitality

• Global trade negotiations
• National farm and rural development policies
• Local infrastructure investments and educational
  reforms

3
The Global Reality

• Agricultural protection is large and entrenched
• Poor people in poor countries look to agriculture
  to start their own economic growth
• This clash of interests is important, but its
  outcome is hard to predict

4
The National Reality

• Farm policy no longer drives rural economic
  engines
• Policy shifts and economics will place more focus
  on diversifying rural economies

5
The Local Reality

• Rural poverty is rooted in labor market handicaps
• Education and physical infrastructure are the
  keys to competing successfully in the emerging
  knowledge-based economy
• Minnesota has some education reforms it needs to
  face into