[Issue+] Cultivated land is shrinking and farms are aging... the rice industry faces a 'structural crisis'

The current situation of the domestic rice industry and policy changes are as follows: The rice cultivation area was 677,514 ha, a decrease of 2.9% from the previous year, and the decrease has expanded compared to the average of the past 10 years. Due to population decline and aging, the capacity for cultivation is also limited. Despite expectations for policy changes, there are concerns on-site. A standard price reflecting production costs and management costs is needed. Expansion of processed rice and strengthening self-sufficiency in soybeans are key tasks of rice policy changes. South Korea's staple food, rice, is facing a structural crisis. The cultivated area and the number of farmers have reached historic lows, and more than half of the farming population is over 65 years old, leading to a structural shortage of people who can farm rice. Now, the rice industry is moving beyond a simple supply and demand issue to a new turning point as a key stronghold of national food ...