ID :
44035
Tue, 02/03/2009 - 22:34
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/44035
The shortlink copeid
S. Korean agriculture has potential to become export industry: official
SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean agriculture has the potential to achieve
rapid growth and become an export engine for the country, a senior policymaker
claimed Tuesday.
Food and Agriculture Minister Chang Tae-pyong said in a seminar at the Korea
Rural Economic Institute that just as the country's industrial sector pulled off
rapid industrial growth in the 1970s with state backing, the same successful
formula could be applied to farming.
He said the key to growth depends on improved production, distribution and
processing, and overhauling outdated farm management practices.
"It is time to move away from the notion that all goods raised in the country
should be consumed here, and think of farming as a export commodity," the
minister said.
South Korea's farm exports grew 17.2 percent on-year to a record US$4.4 billion
in 2008, with the government hoping to increase this to $5.3 billion this year
and $10 billion by 2012.
Citing the Netherlands as an example, the official stressed that if the country
makes a determined effort, it could become a viable exporter of products, farm
equipment and financing in three years at the earliest.
Chang pointed out that there is a steadily growing market for farm products and
food because the world's population is estimated to hit 9-10 billion in 2050 from
6.7 billion at present.
South Korea ranks 139th in terms of the average size of land tilled by a single
farmer, with the mean age of people in the sector at 58.9. However, its ranks
10th in overall crop production efficiency and is the world's 13th-largest
rice-farming nation.
The official also said the country is well situated near countries with huge
populations, which could help expand overseas sales if local farmers can become
more competitive in the coming years.
"Japan is not really keen on food and farm exports, while China is not able to
make a full-fledged push to develop a value-added food industry at this
juncture," he said.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
rapid growth and become an export engine for the country, a senior policymaker
claimed Tuesday.
Food and Agriculture Minister Chang Tae-pyong said in a seminar at the Korea
Rural Economic Institute that just as the country's industrial sector pulled off
rapid industrial growth in the 1970s with state backing, the same successful
formula could be applied to farming.
He said the key to growth depends on improved production, distribution and
processing, and overhauling outdated farm management practices.
"It is time to move away from the notion that all goods raised in the country
should be consumed here, and think of farming as a export commodity," the
minister said.
South Korea's farm exports grew 17.2 percent on-year to a record US$4.4 billion
in 2008, with the government hoping to increase this to $5.3 billion this year
and $10 billion by 2012.
Citing the Netherlands as an example, the official stressed that if the country
makes a determined effort, it could become a viable exporter of products, farm
equipment and financing in three years at the earliest.
Chang pointed out that there is a steadily growing market for farm products and
food because the world's population is estimated to hit 9-10 billion in 2050 from
6.7 billion at present.
South Korea ranks 139th in terms of the average size of land tilled by a single
farmer, with the mean age of people in the sector at 58.9. However, its ranks
10th in overall crop production efficiency and is the world's 13th-largest
rice-farming nation.
The official also said the country is well situated near countries with huge
populations, which could help expand overseas sales if local farmers can become
more competitive in the coming years.
"Japan is not really keen on food and farm exports, while China is not able to
make a full-fledged push to develop a value-added food industry at this
juncture," he said.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
