Well it has been a common practive for decades whereby the USDA pays farmers NOT to plant certain commodities. But the subsidies being linked to destroying existing crops would be new. The first policy helps balance supply and demand to stabilize the price. This new version seems, as stated, to cause a food shortage or it could be option "B" where they are trying to control the market prices in real time. But to do so (if it is option B) will cause a scarcity thus inflating the value and price. Sort of like in the movie "Trading Places."

But I suspect it is indeed to create yet another crisis so we all beg them for help and a solution. Remember the worn-out of model of problem-reaction-solution? Seems they want our reaction to be from our knees.