Vanishing villages

By Oh Chang-gul

Have you ever thought about the future of Korea’s rural communities?

In 10 years, all the dishes on our tables might contain imported agricultural products. If we don't take countermeasures we will face difficulties, because there will be no one left to farm in this country.

The problem of the aging population in rural communities is now extremely serious.

According to statistics, the small village population of Korea will be less than 16 percent in 2014 down from 25 percent 20 years ago. Why have young people been leaving rural communities? It is because there are no jobs for young people and no cultural venues.

In addition, our society's obsession with receiving a good education forces them to leave their hometowns. The biggest difference between Korea and the United States is that Korean farmers don't have any pride in their true calling and they don't want their children to have anything to do with farming.

There are some people who go back to the country to farm but they don't have the knowledge or experience. So the government has to help them and build agricultural schools. The schools can help not only students but also people returning to the country. Of course there are some agricultural schools in rural areas but their purpose is not to train farmers. We need schools that specialize in creating a new generation of farmers.

And the government has to support the students after graduation, so the government must give them some advantages. First, students have to be hired as apprentices to farmers, paid for by the government. It would not only provide assistance to the farmer but also provide experience for the apprentice.

Second, men should receive military exemption if they are farmers, thereby the government can provide young men with public sector jobs.

Third, after they finish their apprenticeship, the government should give them a state farm until they can grow crops by themselves. By doing so, they can settle down in small towns easily.

The government should provide some incentives for people who are farming. In an effort to encourage local farmers, the government should give them tax exemption benefits and subsidize their children's college tuition.

But above all else, farmers should receive higher salaries to help bridge the gap between city and country life. To do that, we ought to increase our farm products' competitiveness by investing in the development and improvement of cutting-edge technology in agriculture.

In Korea, farms should be super farms with high-value and specialty products. In Washington State, there were 35,000 huge farms in 2004 and their products were divided into regions. This way is more effective and efficient than Korea's farming methods. The government should push for agrarian reform to create a super farm.

Farming is very difficult but somebody has to do it for our future. It will take a long time to realize that. We should never forget that agriculture is the basis of our nation and also our life industry. The government and people have to give farmers wholehearted support. We have to put these ideas into action before it is too late.

Urban dwellers should consider trading in overcrowded city life for the fresh air of the countryside. You will have peace of mind and a chance to rejuvenate. Imagine the country humming with activity and farmers smiling with pride after rediscovering their true calling.

This could be our country's future.

The writer, who grew up in a small village, now lives Gyeongsan, South Gyeongsang Province. He can be reached at chdnjs303@gmail.com.