EXHIBIT 23.A




                        INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT



The Board of Directors
Farmland Industries, Inc.:



     We consent to the use of our reports, incorporated herein by reference, on
the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of 
Farmland Industries, Inc. as of August 31, 1997 and 1996 and for each of the 
years in the three-year period ended August 31, 1997 and to the reference to
our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus .

                                                KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP


Kansas City, Missouri
April 3, 1998