CHUNGNAM, Sept. 6 (Korea Bizwire) – In a dramatic display of frustration, farmers across seven cities and counties in South Korea’s South Chungcheong Province took to their fields on September 5, using tractors to plow under their rice crops just weeks before harvest.
The action came as part of a larger protest organized by the South Chungcheong branch of the National Farmers’ Association, demanding immediate government intervention to stabilize plummeting rice prices.
The protests, which took place in Nonsan, Dangjin, Boryeong, Seocheon, Asan, Yesan, and Cheonan, called for the government to remove 200,000 tons of rice from the market and guarantee a minimum price for rice.
Farmers argue that these measures are necessary to address a crisis that has seen rice prices fall by 18% compared to the previous year.
“The shock of the rice price collapse two years ago, which was the worst in 45 years, had barely subsided when we were hit with another 18% drop this year,” said a spokesperson for the farmers’ association.
“The government’s promise of 200,000 won per 80kg bag now seems like a lie, with predictions that prices won’t even reach 160,000 won widely circulating.”
The farmers’ frustration is compounded by what they see as contradictory government policies. While South Korea imports 408,700 tons of foreign rice annually, domestic rice granaries are overflowing with unsold stock.
“Farmers are devastated as they look at their rice plants, heavy with grain and bowing their heads,” the spokesperson added.
“We can no longer stand by as farmers bear all the responsibility for production while the government leads the charge in driving down agricultural prices.”
The protest in South Chungcheong Province is part of a series of actions. Similar demonstrations and field plowing took place in Buyeo a day earlier, with another planned for September 6 in Gongju.
Image credit: The South Chungcheong branch of the National Farmers’ Association / photonews@koreabizwire.com
