Final answer:
The speaker in Passage 2 begins with the information in paragraphs 11 and 12 to provide background and context to the issue being discussed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The speaker in Passage 2 begins with the information in paragraphs 11 and 12 to establish a context and provide background information to better understand the issue at hand. By starting with this information, the speaker sets the stage for discussing why government officials were unwilling to help find solutions to farmers' problems.