Gangjin County Council Urges Prompt Passage of the Grain Management Act Amendment Bill

The Largest Rice Price Collapse in 45 Years Since the Survey

[Gangjin=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-su] The Jeonnam Gangjin County Council (Chairperson Kim Bomi) unanimously adopted the “Resolution Urging the Prompt Passage of the Amendment to the Grain Management Act for Rice Price Stabilization,” which was proposed by Representative Yoon Young-nam, at the first plenary session of the 288th Gangjin County Council temporary meeting on the 22nd.

Gangjin County Council urged the prompt passage of the "Amendment to the Grain Management Act for Rice Price Stabilization," which was introduced by Representative Yoon Young-nam.
[Photo by Gangjin County Council]

Representative Yoon Young-nam stated, “If the current government does not immediately prepare drastic measures to stabilize rice prices, farmers will have no choice but to give up rice farming, which has sustained the food supply of this land for thousands of years. This will shake the foundation of our agriculture and pose a serious threat to domestic food security.”

He added, “As of August 25 last year, the price of 20kg of rice at the production site was 41,836 won, a 21.9% decrease compared to 53,535 won during the previous year’s harvest season. This is the largest price plunge in 45 years since the government began surveying rice prices in 1977, threatening the livelihoods of 6,399 rice farming households in Gangjin County and 600,000 rice farming households nationwide.”

He continued, “Along with the rice price collapse, prices of fuel, fertilizer, pesticides, feed, and labor costs have surged, deepening farmers’ worries. However, the government is demanding unilateral sacrifices from farmers by insisting only on food security without any long-term measures.”

In particular, he pointed out, “The current law is encouraging the decline in rice prices as the government delays market isolation and proceeds with purchases through the lowest bid method via reverse auction, worsening farmers’ difficulties amid the rice price collapse.”

Representative Yoon criticized, “Although the bill to amend the Grain Management Act was finally passed in the National Assembly plenary session on the 30th of last month after many twists and turns, the ruling party left the session just before the vote. The current government and ruling party still firmly refuse to amend the Grain Management Act without fundamental measures for price stabilization and rice supply policies.”

He condemned, “Opposing the amendment to the Grain Management Act is tantamount to declaring the annihilation of already struggling agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, and neglecting the rice price collapse.”

The main contents of the resolution demanded △ immediate passage of the amendment to the Grain Management Act and prompt promulgation and enforcement by the government △ proactive implementation of the market isolation system timed with the rice harvest season and a change to a public stockpiling purchase method △ and the establishment of fundamental measures for rice supply policies.

Meanwhile, the county council plans to deliver the adopted resolution to the President, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Minister of Strategy and Finance, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the city and county councils of Jeonnam.

Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-su kys86120@asiae.co.kr