It's a national security interest to be self-sufficient in food. It's a luxury that you've always taken for granted here in this country.

Can you imagine a country that was unable to grow enough food to feed the people? It would be a nation that would be subject to international pressure. It would be a nation at risk.

George W. Bush 

https://www.maff.go.jp/j/zyukyu/zikyu_ritu/attach/pdf/012-17.pdf