Iowa farmers have suffered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. | Stock Photo
Iowa farmers have suffered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. | Stock Photo
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig has voiced some concern for the short-term future of state farmers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, farmers have suffered from a lower produce demand due to less dining out, grocery shopping and other activities beneficial to the state's agricultural economy. Naig, in an interview with local radio, also touched on the fact that although he does have concern over the state of the agricultural industry, he thinks that Iowa farmers are more well-poised to pull out of the pandemic than perhaps any other state. This is due to the positioning that has been done in prior years in order to safeguard against lower demand for produce.
“It’s important to note too, because of the disruption to trade, and because of the disruption to renewable fuels, and ethanol production throughout the year, we’re carrying a lot of corn from last year into this year already. From a supply standpoint, we’re fine. We can do everything we need to do (such as) feed livestock, make ethanol, export, all the uses for corn are okay," Naig said of the future prospects of the state's agricultural industry.
Naig continues to be an advocate for reopening the economy and has frequently touched on the importance of reopening the state's businesses in order to preserve its previous economic momentum.
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