Such a waste of a windfall. They confiscated a valuable farming additive that could have boosted domestic harvests for several (many?) years. It was dangerous

Such a waste of a windfall. They confiscated a valuable farming additive that could have boosted domestic harvests for several (many?) years. It was dangerous to store so why not sell it to local farmers at cost (virtually nothing) and get it into the ground? Instead of a food shortage they could be enjoying a food surplus.