This file photo shows the rice counter of a retail outlet in Seoul on Jan. 10, 2022. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — The government’s major policies have come under fire due to their potential impact on the South Korean agricultural industry.
One such policy involves the slaughter of a large number of cows to lower the wholesale price of Korean beef, while another seeks to remove Shindongjin, a top-quality rice variety, from production in order to control rice output.
Shindongjin rice is currently the number one rice variety in the country for the fifth consecutive year, with its cultivation area accounting for a significant percentage of the market share in North Jeolla Province.
This variety is favored by Korean farmers for its excellent production.
However, the government’s plan to remove Shindongjin from production has caused concern among farmers in regions such as Gimje and Gunsan, which have a significant dependence on the rice variety.
The sudden withdrawal plan has left the North Jeolla provincial office embarrassed, as it had already planned to gradually reduce its dependence on Shindongjin rice due to pest-related issues.
Harvested rice is transported into a sack from a machine at a paddy in the city of Gimje, North Jeolla Province, southwestern South Korea, on Oct. 14, 2021. Gimje is one of the country’s major granaries. (Yonhap)
The government has announced that it will not purchase any Shindongjin rice, which accounts for 74 percent of the public stockpile purchases in the province.
In addition, the seed supply will be cut off and the seeds will be completely dried, effectively removing Shindongjin from the market.
While the government’s move aims to maintain the price of rice by reducing production, many have criticized the decision to target Shindongjin, the top-ranking variety.
Some argue that excluding high-productivity varieties from the market in an attempt to control total rice production is a misguided approach.
The government has recommended cultivating Chamdongjin rice as an alternative to Shindongjin. While this variety is resistant to pests, its lower yield has made it less popular among farmers.
Experts have pointed out that neighboring Japan protects its seed variety, Koshihikari, which was bred in 1956, as a matter of national pride. Similarly, they suggest that Korea’s Shindongjin rice deserves recognition and protection as well.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
