I think there should really be a boss monster that instead of dropping a super expensive weapon/armor, could drop massive quantities of raw materials. Not a very thoughtout plan but its just an interesting idea I think.

That could be very bad for the economy though.

But then whats the point of harvesting skills?

They have lost their point a long time ago- almost all if not.... well everything is dropped by monsters.

but this makes any and all harvesting skills obsolete... Ranaars are still largely produced by farmers and several other things.

and if something is broken you don't smash it.

Gathering resources a conventional way would still be productive since you wouldn't be assured a rare resource drop.