Legal Definitions - basic crops

Basic Crops

The term "basic crops" refers to a category of agricultural products that are widely cultivated, often serve as staple foods or feed, and are considered fundamental to a nation's agricultural economy or food security. These crops are frequently the focus of government agricultural policies, such as subsidies, price support programs, or crop insurance, due to their economic significance and impact on the food supply. They are typically high-volume commodities rather than specialty produce.

• Example 1: Government Subsidies for Corn and Soybeans
  A farmer in the Midwest primarily grows corn and soybeans. The government offers specific subsidies and price support programs for these crops. This illustrates "basic crops" because corn and soybeans are widely grown, serve as essential feed for livestock, and are key ingredients in many food products and industrial goods, making them fundamental to the national agricultural economy and food chain. The government's support highlights their classification as basic crops.
• Example 2: Crop Insurance for Wheat Farmers
  After an unexpected late-season frost severely damages his fields, a farmer growing winter wheat files a claim under a federal crop insurance program. Wheat is consistently classified as a basic crop by agricultural agencies. This example demonstrates the term because wheat is a global staple food, widely cultivated, and considered critical for food security, making it eligible for government-backed insurance designed to protect the supply of essential commodities.
• Example 3: Land Use Regulations for Cotton Production
  In a southern state, agricultural zoning laws might include provisions related to the cultivation of cotton, designating certain areas for its production and offering incentives for sustainable farming practices for this commodity. This shows cotton as a "basic crop" because, in many regions, it has historically been and continues to be a major agricultural product with significant economic impact, supporting numerous industries beyond just textiles, and is therefore treated as a foundational crop within agricultural policy.