VOA新闻杂志2024--In Warmer Weather, South Korean Farmers Try Growing Bananas

Ma 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.

But warmer temperatures due to climate change have produced a welcome surprise in the form of flowers and fruit.

The land area where subtropical crops are grown in South Korea has increased from about 295 hectares in 2021 to 3,306 hectares in 2023.

South 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.

"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.

Ma 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.

"I feel that the climate crisis¹ has become very serious," said Ma, who has been a farmer for 25 years.

South Korea lies in the temperate² zone and has four seasons. But its climate appears to be getting warmer and wetter throughout the year.

The Korea Meteorological Administration reports that since 2012, the average yearly temperature has been continually rising. The average temperature last year of 13.7 degrees Celsius³ was the highest since its records began in 1973.

Plenty of rain

Rainfall during last year's rainy season was 660.2 mm nationwide, nearly two times the 356.7 mm annual average figure.

Kim 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.

Tropical and subtropical fruit are usually expensive in South Korea, so shoppers should welcome the less costly⁴ local produce.

"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.

Words in This Story

greenhouse - n. a building or part of a building that has glass walls and a glass roof and that is used for growing plants

subtropical - adj. relating to or living in an area that is close to tropical parts of the world

temperate - adj. having temperatures that are not too hot or too cold

expensive - adj. costing a lot of money

1 crisis   

n.危机，危急关头，决定性时刻，关键阶段

参考例句：

• He had proved that he could be relied on in a crisis.他已表明，在紧要关头他是可以信赖的。
• The topic today centers about the crisis in the Middle East.今天课题的中心是中东危机。

2 temperate   

adj.温和的，温带的，自我克制的，不过分的

参考例句：

• Asia extends across the frigid,temperate and tropical zones.亚洲地跨寒、温、热三带。
• Great Britain has a temperate climate.英国气候温和。

3 Celsius   

adj.摄氏温度计的，摄氏的

参考例句：

• The temperature tonight will fall to seven degrees Celsius.今晚气温将下降到七摄氏度。
• The maximum temperature in July may be 36 degrees Celsius.七月份最高温度可能达到36摄氏度。

4 costly   

adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的

参考例句：

• It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
• This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用，左不过贵了些。