Gwangju Seo District Council Adopts Proposal Urging Withdrawal of Rice Cultivation Area Adjustment System

To Be Delivered to the National Assembly, Political Parties, and Relevant Government Ministries

Gwangju Seo-gu Council (Chairman Jeon Seungil) announced on the 13th that during the 328th extraordinary session held the previous day, it adopted a proposal urging the withdrawal of the 'Rice Cultivation Area Adjustment System,' which was initiated by Councilor Kim Taejin.

On the 12th, the Gwangju Seo-gu Council adopted the "Resolution Urging the Withdrawal of the Rice Cultivation Area Adjustment System," which was primarily proposed by Councilor Kim Taejin during the 328th extraordinary session. Photo by Councilor Kim Taejin of Seo-gu Council

The proposal emphasized that, although rice consumption has decreased more than production recently, the government is implementing the 'Rice Cultivation Area Adjustment System,' which mandates all rice farmers to reduce their paddy field areas, causing many farmers to face significant difficulties.

According to the proposal, the reduction area in Seo-gu, Gwangju is 42 hectares, which is expected to decrease by a quarter compared to the 2024 cultivation area, raising serious concerns about damage to farmers.

The Seo-gu Council called for the immediate withdrawal of the forced rice cultivation area reduction system, amendments to the Grain Management Act and the Public Direct Payment Act, the establishment of policies to strengthen national responsibility for rice production adjustment and inventory management, and a clear government stance on imported rice. It also urged the government to use imported rice for processing, feed, and overseas aid, and to establish rice price stabilization policies without reducing cultivation areas.

Councilor Kim Taejin stated, "The government's unilateral reduction of rice cultivation areas, without giving farmers sufficient time to prepare or providing alternatives, is a prime example of impractical bureaucratic administration." He added, "It is a crucial time to establish fundamental measures for rice, which is a part of national food sovereignty."

The adopted proposal will be delivered to the National Assembly, each political party, and relevant government ministries.