Song Miryung Visits Rice Harvest Site: "Rice Industry to Pursue Mid- to Long-Term Structural Improvements"

100,000 Tons of Rice to Be Isolated for Price Stability; Expansion of Strategic Crops
Promoting High Value-Added Rice Industry Through Development of Rice Processing Sector

Song Miryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated on the 23rd, "We will move beyond short-term supply and demand measures to pursue mid- to long-term structural improvements, so that the imbalance in rice supply and demand does not recur."

On this day, Minister Song made these remarks while visiting the Cheongwon Saengmyeong Nonghyup Rice Cooperative Joint Business Corporation located in Ochang-eup, Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, where she inspected the rice harvest site and rice processing facilities.

On the 23rd, Song Miryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, personally participated in the combine harvesting work during her visit to the Cheongwon Saengmyeong Nonghyup Rice Cooperative Joint Business Corporation located in Cheongju. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

After personally participating in the combine harvesting work, Minister Song toured the site with farmers and exchanged opinions on this year's crop yield and rice price trends. The farmers said, "As rice prices have recently recovered, we have high expectations for this year's purchase price." Officials from the Rice Processing Complex (RPC) also commented, "We hope that measures will be implemented without setbacks so that rice prices remain stable through next year."

In response, Minister Song emphasized, "As a measure for this year's harvest season, we will isolate 100,000 tons out of the anticipated surplus of 165,000 tons, and before February next year, we will reassess supply and demand to implement additional measures as needed. We will do our best to ensure that farmers can experience the 'joy of a bountiful harvest' this season."

The Cheongwon Saengmyeong Nonghyup Rice Cooperative Joint Business Corporation that Minister Song visited on this day is leading the creation of high added value in the rice industry by diversifying its business. Unlike other RPCs that only perform milling and sell rice, this facility operates processing lines that produce a variety of rice-based products such as rice snacks and rice cakes. Minister Song stated, "Now, RPCs must expand their roles beyond simple milling to include the development of processed foods and the exploration of new markets. The rice industry will only become sustainable if it is reorganized into high value-added sectors such as instant rice, rice flour, and processed or ready-to-eat foods."