South Korea: Since the start of this year's pepper farming, the production base has been weak

The main production base of chili peppers is shaking from its roots. This is because, despite the severe manpower shortage, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find workers, and labor costs are soaring, increasing the burden of production costs. As agricultural conditions worsen, the movement to reduce the size of farming is rapidly spreading this year. If this goes on, there are warnings that the domestic red pepper production will be in an irreversible situation. ◆Manpower shortage and burning in mountainous areas = “These days, pepper farming has to be done according to the worker’s schedule, otherwise it will be impossible to farm.” Ki-hyo Jeong (60), a pepper farmer in North Gyeongsang Province, said that the shortage of manpower has become even more serious as the pepper planting season has come. Jeong, who has been growing peppers for 24 years, appealed, “It is so difficult to find workers, so now, the farmhouse has no choice but to plant according to the date ...