Farmers in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, are up in arms against the government's latest initiative to control rice production, citing threats to their livelihoods and the infringement of their farming rights. The move comes as the nation grapples with declining rice consumption and a subsequent drop in rice prices, prompting the government to implement a 'Rice Cultivation Area Adjustment System'.
The system, launched this year, aims to reduce the national rice paddy area by 80,000 hectares. This is in response to a continuous decline in rice consumption, with per capita consumption reaching a record low last year since records began in 1962. The Korea Rural Economic Institute predicts further decline in rice consumption in the coming years, exacerbating the issue of excess supply and price drops.
However, farmers in Gyeonggi-do, a key rice-producing region, are putting up a fight. In Yeoju, a city renowned for its high-quality rice, farmers are vehemently opposing the plan, arguing that it jeopardizes their livelihoods and infringes on their rights. They are particularly concerned about the allocated reduction target for Yeoju, which they deem excessive.
Adding to the farmers' woes is the unique characteristic of Gyeonggi-do's rice industry. The region's rice is known for its superior quality and fetches higher prices compared to other areas. Moreover, the rice farming sector in Gyeonggi-do is highly mechanized, making it difficult for farmers to switch to other crops.
"Farmers need to be able to make more profit from other crops to even consider switching," says an official from a local agricultural cooperative, highlighting the challenge of persuading farmers to abandon rice cultivation.
The Gyeonggi-do provincial government has acknowledged the farmers' concerns and is seeking a solution that balances the need to control rice production with the protection of farmers' interests. "We are working with the central government to find a way to naturally reduce the rice cultivation area while safeguarding the livelihoods of our farmers," a provincial government official stated.
The standoff between the government and farmers in Gyeonggi-do underscores the complexities of managing agricultural policy in the face of changing consumption patterns and market dynamics.
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