Park Ji-won: "Prohibition on Rice Cultivation in Reclaimed Farmland... Allowance for Alternative Crops such as Black Rice"

Ministry of Agriculture to Reduce Rice Cultivation Area by Over 10%
Discussion on Converting Sani Reclaimed Land in Haenam County to Alternative Crops

Park Ji-won, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Haenam, Wando, and Jindo in South Jeolla Province), announced on the 13th that the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (hereafter referred to as the Ministry of Agriculture) has decided to reduce the rice cultivation area by more than 10% this year and to permit the cultivation of black rice as an alternative crop following the complete ban on rice cultivation in state-owned reclaimed farmland.

The Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed a policy to prohibit rice cultivation and convert the entire area to alternative crops for reclaimed farmland with renewed farming contracts starting this year. As a result, farmers are now required to cultivate new crops.

Park Jiwon, Member of the National Assembly.

In response, Park stated, "Farmers belonging to 260 households (803ha) across 17 agricultural cooperatives in Sani-myeon, Haenam County, where contracts are being renewed this year, have requested the government to allow black rice cultivation, calling the government's decision unilateral." Park explained that his office has been discussing countermeasures for converting alternative crops in the Sani reclaimed land with the Ministry of Agriculture.

He further said, "We discussed the issue that, due to the rice cultivation ban in reclaimed land, the affected farmers cannot expect any benefits even if rice prices rise as a result of rice price stabilization," and emphasized, "Considering this situation, we have come up with a plan to allow black rice cultivation on up to 20% of the farmland as an additional income compensation measure requested by Haenam farmers."

He added, "We will continue to monitor the implementation of income compensation measures for farmers, such as extending the contract period (currently from 5 years to 8 years), increasing direct payments and incentives for alternative crops like powdered rice and forage crops."