In Warmer Weather, South Korean Farmers Try Growing Bananas
2024-08-12
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1Ma Myung-sun had low expectations for the subtropical bananas he planted in a community farm in Seoul.
2He must use a greenhouse for part of the year to protect them from South Korea's cold winters.
3But warmer temperatures due to climate change have produced a welcome surprise in the form of flowers and fruit.
4The land area where subtropical crops are grown in South Korea has increased from about 295 hectares in 2021 to 3,306 hectares in 2023.
5South Korea's state agricultural organization, the Rural Development Administration, reports that there are 67 banana farms in the south.
6And Ma is among a growing number of farmers experimenting with crops usually grown in a warmer climate.
7"I want to try growing other tropical crops too. So, as you can see here, I have planted these papaya trees as well," Ma said, pointing to a small papaya plant.
8Ma opened up part of his family's farm to people from the city in 2006.
9He is happy about his small success.
10But he worries about what it means for the climate.
11"I feel that the climate crisis has become very serious," said Ma, who has been a farmer for 25 years.
12South Korea lies in the temperate zone and has four seasons.
13But its climate appears to be getting warmer and wetter throughout the year.
14The Korea Meteorological Administration reports that since 2012, the average yearly temperature has been continually rising.
15The average temperature last year of 13.7 degrees Celsius was the highest since its records began in 1973.
16Rainfall during last year's rainy season was 660.2 mm nationwide, nearly two times the 356.7 mm annual average figure.
17Kim Kwang-soo is a professor of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Seoul National University.
18Kim said South Korea's climate conditions were becoming more like subtropical areas, so it is important for farmers to find the right crop varieties for the climate.
19Tropical and subtropical fruit are usually expensive in South Korea, so shoppers should welcome the less costly local produce.
20"My kids love bananas. So, it would be good if we harvest bananas in this country," said Kim Ji-youn, who was purchasing imported bananas in a Seoul supermarket.
21I'm Jill Robbins.
1Ma Myung-sun had low expectations for the subtropical bananas he planted in a community farm in Seoul. He must use a greenhouse for part of the year to protect them from South Korea's cold winters. 2But warmer temperatures due to climate change have produced a welcome surprise in the form of flowers and fruit. 3The land area where subtropical crops are grown in South Korea has increased from about 295 hectares in 2021 to 3,306 hectares in 2023. 4South Korea's state agricultural organization, the Rural Development Administration, reports that there are 67 banana farms in the south. And Ma is among a growing number of farmers experimenting with crops usually grown in a warmer climate. 5"I want to try growing other tropical crops too. So, as you can see here, I have planted these papaya trees as well," Ma said, pointing to a small papaya plant. 6Ma opened up part of his family's farm to people from the city in 2006. He is happy about his small success. But he worries about what it means for the climate. 7"I feel that the climate crisis has become very serious," said Ma, who has been a farmer for 25 years. 8South Korea lies in the temperate zone and has four seasons. But its climate appears to be getting warmer and wetter throughout the year. 9The Korea Meteorological Administration reports that since 2012, the average yearly temperature has been continually rising. The average temperature last year of 13.7 degrees Celsius was the highest since its records began in 1973. 10Plenty of rain 11Rainfall during last year's rainy season was 660.2 mm nationwide, nearly two times the 356.7 mm annual average figure. 12Kim Kwang-soo is a professor of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Seoul National University. Kim said South Korea's climate conditions were becoming more like subtropical areas, so it is important for farmers to find the right crop varieties for the climate. 13Tropical and subtropical fruit are usually expensive in South Korea, so shoppers should welcome the less costly local produce. 14"My kids love bananas. So, it would be good if we harvest bananas in this country," said Kim Ji-youn, who was purchasing imported bananas in a Seoul supermarket. 15I'm Jill Robbins. 16Minwoo Park and Dogyun Kim reported this story for Reuters. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. 17______________________________________________ 18Words in This Story 19greenhouse - n. a building or part of a building that has glass walls and a glass roof and that is used for growing plants 20subtropical - adj. relating to or living in an area that is close to tropical parts of the world 21temperate - adj. having temperatures that are not too hot or too cold 22expensive - adj. costing a lot of money 23What do you think of this story? Write to us in the Comments Section.