[2001 Story] 총 3122만 평 35일에 걸친 추수작전! 대규모 기업형 영농 서산농장의 추수 현장 | KBS 20011030 방송

※ This video was produced in 2001 and may differ from current conditions. ▶ Full-scale harvest operation at Seosan Farm, Korea's largest rice producing area! The harvest at Seosan Farm, Korea's largest reclaimed land farm, is reminiscent of a military operation. Covering 31.22 million pyeong (approximately 100 acres), the operation involved 43 large combine harvesters and lasting 35 days! Seosan Farm produces a staggering 1,000 tons of rice daily, with an average cultivated area of ​​430,000 pyeong (approximately 1,400 acres) per person, equivalent to the equivalent of 105 typical farming households. This amount is enough to feed 500,000 people for a year. At the farm's large factory, over 40 dump trucks constantly transport the harvested rice from the combine harvesters to large silos, where it is processed 24 hours a day, from drying to milling. Through the harvesting operations of Seosan Farm, a prime example of large-scale corporate farming, we examine the mechanized harvesting process, which differs from that of ordinary rural areas. We also closely report on the lives of farmers who, even amidst plummeting rice prices, experience the rewards of farming and achieve fruitful results through harvesting. On October 3rd, harvesting began in earnest at Seosan Farm. The first harvest of the 10 million pyeong (approximately 36.5 acres) Seosan Farm, which was sold to the public for the first time last year, also took place simultaneously. With 43 combine harvesters, capable of harvesting 300,000 pyeong (approximately 100 acres) in a single day, the operation resembled a massive military operation. Harvesting is a race against time. Missing the harvest season leads to a decline in yield and a sharp decline in rice quality. To ensure timely harvesting, the 73 farmers from the farming corporation assigned to Seosan Farm's large-scale harvesting operation toiled day and night. The Seosan Agricultural Business Office, which operated large-scale farms, previously yielded 1.7 bags per 200 pyeong (approximately $6,000 USD) of rice. This year, the expected yield is expected to reach 3.5 bags per 200 pyeong (approximately $6,000 USD), adding to the busyness of farmers. ▶ Bird damage costs hundreds of millions of won per day! Even a single grain of rice lost during the harvest can cause significant losses. This documentary captures the struggles of farmers to ensure every grain is not lost. Seosan Farm, the only farm in Korea to directly sow rice seeds and also spray pesticides and fertilizers, is so vast that even small losses accumulate and add up to significant costs. Therefore, combine operators meticulously inspect the equipment to ensure every single grain is harvested, and facility managers meticulously monitor the situation to minimize losses during transport or drying. Furthermore, the daily damage caused by birds like geese, mallards, and egrets alone amounts to hundreds of millions of won. To mitigate this damage, farmers are employing methods to coexist with nature, such as using popcorn machines and firecrackers to scare away birds, or creating playgrounds in pre-mown rice paddies to lure them. The 73 farmers, spread across nine teams in Districts A and B, work tirelessly inside combine harvesters all day, but they remain diligent, anticipating a high harvest, much like the first harvest since their conversion to a farming corporation. Most farmers working at Seosan Farm faced challenges when they first started farming, such as the scale of the operation and the availability of large equipment. However, with over 15 years of experience, expertise, and specialized farming knowledge, they can now expect high yields. These farmers have dedicated their youth to farming, devoting their lives to the land. Unable to leave, they find a sense of fulfillment in the harvest, reaping the rewards of their valuable efforts. ▶ Despite plummeting rice prices, the desire to cultivate good crops through large-scale farming continues. We hear from farmers about their love of farming and their ambitious dreams. This year, the price of rice has dropped by 10,000 won per 40 kilogram compared to last year. This is a devastating blow to farmers. The first harvest has begun on the 10 million pyeong (approximately 3.5 acres) of farmland at Seosan Farm, which was sold to approximately 400 ordinary citizens last year. Lee Jong-beom (52), the first of the general buyers to apply for the sale, has been living in a container on one side of Seosan Farm and is enjoying his first harvest this year. Farmers who have worked at Seosan Farm for 15 years typically aim to reduce production costs through large-scale farming and become a model for Korean farming through scientific farming practices. Seosan Farm is a testament to this, playing a key role in meeting the nation's food needs and, moreover, establishing itself as a foundation for internationally competitive farming. The people of Seosan Farm, who live and work to protect the l...