>However if you can convince farmers to always grow extra, then the difference between a good year and a bad one is closer to 10%, and you never have famines.

>However if you can convince farmers to always grow extra, then the difference between a good year and a bad one is closer to 10%, and you never have famines. Storing food doesn't require subsidies. The government can buy non-subsidized food from the global market which may include local sources, and store it at their own expense. During low-yield years, the private market (grocery stores) can buy food from the global market or from private food stores. If they cannot, the government can finally step in.