Korea to foster local grain production to bolster food self-sufficiency
Kim Jung-hee, deputy minister for food grain policy, speaks during a press briefing at the Sejong Government Complex, Thursday. Courtesy of Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural AffairsBy Lee Kyung-minThe government will foster the output of locally-grown grain to help increase the country's food self-sufficiency rate to 55.5 percent by 2027, up from 44.4 percent last year, the agriculture ministry said Thursday.The number of overseas grain terminals operated by local firms will be increased to five from two, to secure stable grain distribution channels. The two are in Ukraine and the Port of Longview in the U.S. state of Washington, operated respectively by POSCO International, a trading affiliate of POSCO, and Pan Ocean, a shipping firm.Global cooperation with key current grain-producing countries will be strengthened, as fortified by stronger overseas development assistance (ODA) ties and plans to diversify trade partner countries in Central and South America. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said these moves are part of a medium- to long-term food security st
