Vast Sky and Broad Sea｜Agricultural Management Officials Fire the “First Shot,” Hunan Farmers’ Ginger Crops Forcibly Removed, Agricultural Management Officials: Ginger is Not a Crop

Recently, the term “Agricultural Enforcement” has sparked heated discussions among many netizens. The so-called “Agricultural Enforcement” actually refers to the “Agricultural Comprehensive Administrative Law Enforcement Department.” Their main responsibility is to crack down on illegal activities that harm farmers, such as fake fertilizers and fake seeds. It is not difficult to see from this that the role of “Agricultural Enforcement” is mainly to protect the legitimate rights and interests of farmers.

However, just recently, a farmer in Guidong County, Chenzhou, Hunan Province, encountered a troubling matter. It turned out that he had planted a field of ginger on his own contracted land, but it was forcibly removed by the local Agricultural Enforcement department. In addition, “Agricultural Enforcement” also told him that ginger is not a crop and does not meet the requirements of food security, and also asked the villager to switch to growing rice.

It is reported that this farmer’s surname is Li. He contracted 1.5 acres of land in March this year and then planted a large area of ginger. Just when Mr. Li was looking forward to a good harvest, he unexpectedly encountered an accident. On April 23rd, he was going to water the fields, but his ginger was removed by someone. After inquiries, he learned that it was done by the local Agricultural Enforcement department.

Finally, Mr. Li went to the local Agricultural Enforcement department and demanded compensation. However, the Agricultural Enforcement told him that ginger does not belong to the crops within the scope of food security, and he must switch to growing rice, otherwise it would be a violation of the use of cultivated land and he would be subject to corresponding penalties. Mr. Li was very angry when he heard this, so he said: “Ginger, as a seasoning, can also be eaten, and besides, I have the right to plant anything on the land I contracted.”

In addition, Mr. Li also said: He planted ginger mainly to increase his income, because the price of rice is too low to support his family. Besides, my planting of ginger has not affected the growth of other crops, why can’t I plant it? Mr. Li believes that the Agricultural Enforcement, without his consent, removed the ginger without authorization, infringing on his property rights and causing economic losses, and should be compensated.

So, does the Agricultural Enforcement’s statement that ginger does not belong to crops have relevant basis? According to relevant regulations such as the “Seed Law of the People’s Republic of China”, to legally carry out planting activities, one must abide by the local planting management regulations. As for whether ginger belongs to crops? Currently, the more common view is that ginger belongs to vegetable crops, not grain crops. Therefore, it is not inappropriate for the Agricultural Enforcement to remove the ginger planted by Mr. Li and require him to switch to growing rice.

However, I personally believe that even if the ginger planted by Mr. Li does not meet the local planting management regulations, but the ginger has already grown in the field, can’t they wait for the farmers to harvest before asking them to switch to growing rice? Doesn’t law enforcement consider humanization? You know, farmers have put in a lot of hard work in farming, and removing the ginger means that they will have no income this year.

Now, back in the rural hometown, there are wastelands everywhere. In fact, it’s not that everyone is unwilling to plant, it’s just that growing rice is difficult to support a family. Take my father-in-law as an example, their family planted more than a dozen acres of rice, and if you remove all kinds of costs, it’s only more than 10,000 yuan a year. With this income, let alone supporting the family, even the daily social interactions are not enough.

Therefore, if you want farmland not to be abandoned, the relevant departments should still come up with more complete measures to improve farmers’ income, rather than adopting the so-called one-size-fits-all approach. Especially the emergence of Agricultural Enforcement, should bring benefits and convenience to the vast number of farmers, rather than bringing them troubles in life.