As temperatures rise, South Korean farmers experiment with tropical bananas

By Minwoo Park and Dogyun Kim

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korean farmer Ma Myung-sun had low expectations for the crop of subtropical bananas he grew at a community farm in Seoul, but warmer temperatures due to climate change have produced a welcome surprise in the form of flowers and fruits.

Ma, 73, still has to use a greenhouse part of the year to protect plants from South Korea’s cold winters, and is part of a growing number of farmers experimenting with crops generally better suited to a warmer climate. .

The cultivated area of ​​subtropical crops in South Korea jumped from about 295 hectares (730 acres) in 2021 to 3,306 hectares in 2023, with 67 banana farms in the south, according to the Rural Development Administration, a state-run agricultural organization. growing other tropical crops as well. So, as you can see here, I also planted these papaya trees,” said Ma, pointing to a bush growing next to the banana trees.

Ma opened part of his family’s pear farm to city residents in 2006, and as happy as he is about his modest success, he worries about what it means for the climate.

“I feel like the climate crisis has become very serious,” said Ma, who has been a farmer for 25 years.

South Korea is located in the temperate zone and has four distinct seasons, but its climate appears to be getting hotter and wetter throughout the year.

Since 2012, the average annual temperature has shown a continuous warming trend, the Korea Meteorological Administration said in a report, noting that last year’s average temperature of 13.7 degrees Celsius (57°F) was the highest since the its records began in 1973.

Precipitation during last year’s monsoon season was 660.2 mm (26 inches) across the country, almost double the annual average of 356.7 mm.

Kim Kwang-soo, professor of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Seoul National University, said South Korea’s climate conditions are becoming similar to those in subtropical regions, so it is vital for farmers to find suitable crop varieties. .

Tropical and subtropical fruits are typically expensive in South Korea, meaning consumers should welcome the prospect of cheaper local produce.

“My children love bananas. So it would be good if we picked bananas in this country,” said Kim Ji-youn, who was buying imported bananas at a supermarket in Seoul.

(Reporting by Minwoo Park and Dogyun Kim in Seoul; Editing by Ed Davies and Miral Fahmy)