Rising Agricultural Production Costs While Rice Prices Continue to Fall
"Threatening Farmers' Livelihoods... Government Must Take Drastic Measures"
Moon Geum-ju, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Goheung, Boseong, Jangheung, and Gangjin in Jeonnam), announced on the 21st that she has taken the lead in proposing a "Resolution Urging Government Measures to Normalize Rice Prices."
Rice is a national key industry and a staple food for the people. In the era of climate crisis, it serves as a strong pillar supporting the national economy and food security. However, as of this month, the farm-gate price of rice is 182,872 KRW (80kg), down 8.2% (16,408 KRW) compared to the same period last year, threatening the livelihoods of farmers.
While production costs such as agricultural material prices and labor costs are rising, rice prices continue to fall, causing a rapid increase in farm household debt. Especially this year, farmers are facing harsher hardships than ever due to the combined effects of the rice price collapse and brown planthopper damage.
The government announced during the presidential veto of the Grain Management Act last year that it would maintain rice prices at around 200,000 KRW, but that promise has proven to be an empty echo. Since rice prices fell below 200,000 KRW in November last year, they have continued to decline for over a year, yet the government has consistently responded with delayed actions, half-hearted measures, and evasive tactics.
Through the resolution, Representative Moon urged the government to prepare drastic measures, including ▲ setting rice price targets to normalize prices and stabilize supply and demand ▲ preemptive supply-demand control and post-damage compensation measures ▲ improvement of food self-sufficiency rates ▲ prevention of crop damage caused by abnormal weather ▲ institutional improvements for stable production and supply of agricultural products.
Representative Moon pointed out, “If the government does not prepare drastic measures to normalize rice prices now, farmers will have no choice but to abandon rice farming, which has sustained the food supply of this land for thousands of years. This will shake the foundation of agriculture and pose a serious threat to domestic food security.”
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