It allows them to maximize the value they extract from the whole enterprise and defend their competitive advantage. In short: greed and fear. The long answer i

It allows them to maximize the value they extract from the whole enterprise and defend their competitive advantage. In short: greed and fear. The long answer is more complicated. For example corn, soybeans, and wheat aren’t generally planted as F1 hybrids so farmers can (and do) save seed so the manufacturers walk this tight rope between crops where it really matters and ones where they don’t, but have to defend their whole system regardless.