Sancheong-gun Rare Rice Transplanting and Drone Utilization... Rice Production Cost Reduction Workshop

Attendance by Rural Development Administration and Gyeongnam Agricultural Research and Extension Services, Expecting Reduction in Production Costs and Labor

Drone Direct Seeding and Sparse Transplanting Demonstration [Image Source=Sancheong-gun]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam Province, and the Gyeongnam Agricultural Research and Extension Services announced on the 27th that they held a demonstration event for sparse rice transplanting and drone-utilized direct seeding of rice, significantly reducing labor and production costs in rice farming.

On the afternoon of the 26th, the county held the '2021 Rice Production Cost Reduction Demonstration' at Dori, Saengbiryang-myeon, attended by the Rural Development Administration, Gyeongnam Agricultural Research and Extension Services, officials from cities and counties in the province, Sancheong-gun direct seeding rice cultivation members, and farmers.

At the demonstration, they showcased the sparse rice transplanting cultivation method along with drone-based direct seeding, pest control, and fertilization of rice.

'Drone direct seeding of rice' is a method of rice farming without seedbeds, where rice seeds are directly sown by drones. Since it omits the traditional seedling raising and transplanting processes, it is known as an innovative cultivation method that reduces labor and production costs while simultaneously increasing yield.

Sparse transplanting is a cultivation technique where about 37 to 50 seedlings are transplanted per 3.3㎡.

Previously, 70 seedlings were transplanted requiring 25 to 30 seedling trays per 10 ares, but with sparse transplanting, only about 10 trays are needed per 10 ares, reducing seedling raising and transplanting labor by 47%. It also improves ventilation and sunlight penetration, effectively reducing the occurrence of diseases and pests such as leaf sheath blight.

A county official said, "We hope for active participation in expanding rice cultivation methods that can reduce rural labor and production costs," adding, "We will strive to enhance competitiveness by selecting high-quality rice varieties with high regional adaptability suitable for production cost and labor-saving cultivation methods."

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