JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – White House trade and tariff policies, talk of imported beef from Argentina, and China’s refusal to buy soybeans are some of the factors that have added chaos to Mississippi’s agriculture sector.

On Wednesday, the Senate Agriculture Committee heard from farm leaders and experts about the challenges threatening producers across the state. They told the committee that they need action to survive falling prices, shrinking markets and a lack of local processing.

Lawmakers are looking for solutions to keep the state’s agriculture industry strong. One goal is to build a processing plant in Mississippi, so crops can be processed locally. They’re also exploring alternative markets and tax relief to support farmers.

“I think we are on the edge of a catastrophe here in our in our agricultural community. And the Senate is taking the lead here and coming up with an alternative. You know, that means it takes years to build one of those,” said Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann (R-Miss.).

Without solutions, many family farms could be lost, along with the revenue they bring to local communities.

“Agriculture faces extreme, extreme risk every day. When you look at the market volatility and the prices that are returned, cost of reduction is through the roof. If we do not find ways and avenues to utilize our crops locally and domestically, we are going to lose these family farms, therefore losing food independent. And that is a big problem for us,” said State Senator Neil Whaley (R-District 10).

The goal is to help farmers stay in business and keep more of Mississippi’s crops and jobs at home.