Crop Damage on 4,500ha Due to Low Temperatures... Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Provides Emergency Support

Frost covering a field in Yanggu-gun, Gangwon-do on the 5th. (Image source=Yonhap News)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 25th that abnormal low temperatures, with temperatures dropping below freezing from the 14th to the 19th in some inland areas including Gyeongsangbuk-do, caused damage to crops over an area of 4,511 hectares.

According to the Ministry, the abnormal low temperatures damaged 4,238 hectares of fruit trees such as pear, apple, and peach; 260 hectares of special crops such as tobacco and ginseng; and 13 hectares of field crops such as potatoes and corn. By region, Gyeongbuk suffered damage over 3,669 hectares, Jeollabuk-do 356 hectares, and Chungcheongbuk-do 240 hectares.

The Ministry, together with the Rural Development Administration, local governments, and the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, is promoting technical guidance for the growth management and recovery of damaged crops, as well as support to alleviate labor shortages on farms. After local governments complete detailed damage surveys by the end of next month, plans are in place to provide disaster recovery funds and disaster management operating funds in June.

A Ministry official urged, "If symptoms of cold damage are discovered, they should be promptly reported to the town or township office," adding, "Affected farmers should take thorough care of their crops by performing artificial pollination 2 to 3 additional times and delaying the fruit thinning period."

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