Government, rice '100,000 tons isolation' ··· divided views in the agricultural sector

The government's decision to isolate 100,000 tons of the 165,000 tons of surplus rice expected this year from the market has led to mixed reactions in the agricultural sector. Criticisms include the notion that the timing and method of isolation are closer to next year's plans, making it insufficient as a real harvest season measure. Others argue that it is prudent to wait and see, considering the potential spread of rice blast disease and frequent rains that could reduce the actual harvest. The key variable determining the success or failure of the government's measures is how stably the initial farm rice price of 247,952 won per 80 kg can be maintained. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs held a meeting of the Grain Supply and Demand Stabilization Committee on October 13 and confirmed the measures for stabilizing the supply and demand of rice during the harvest season. According to data released by the National Data Office on the 2nd, the expected production ...