RDA Strengthens 'Agricultural Technology Information Service' for COVID-19 Response

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] The Rural Development Administration announced that it will strengthen its online agricultural technology information services in a situation where non-face-to-face farming activity support is inevitable due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

First, the Rural Development Administration newly established the ‘Overcoming COVID-19 Together in Agriculture’ service on its representative agricultural technology portal site ‘Nongsaro’ and is providing agricultural technology information by farming season all in one place.

Ahead of the full-scale farming season, major farming tasks, pest and disease diagnosis and control, and growth management tips are subdivided and provided through monthly agricultural technology, agricultural technology videos, weekly farming information, and online education (e-learning). To help the health management of elderly farmers and agricultural workers, agricultural health exercises have been produced as five types of videos for use.

Information on functional food crops that help prevent virus infection, foods that aid immune system strengthening, and food information are provided along with simple recipes. You can also find horticultural specialty crops good for immunity and livestock farm management guidelines for preventing COVID-19 infection.

In addition to Nongsaro, the Rural Development Administration provides agricultural education, soil information, agricultural weather information, pesticide information, pest and disease forecasting information, and livestock farm management information on each related website.

Meanwhile, according to the Rural Development Administration’s survey, the number of visitors to ‘Nongsaro’ is increasing by an average of 64% annually. The proportion of access via mobile devices is also increasing by about 45% annually, currently accounting for 49% of all visitors. On the other hand, agricultural technology consultation requests via phone or visits are decreasing by about 10% annually.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.