Gangjin-gun Doam-myeon, First Rice Harvest of the Year on Rice Day

Published 18 Aug.2021 15:47(KST)

Harvest of Hansel Rice with One-time Root Drenching Treatment at Seedling Nursery for Rice Diseases and Pests

The first harvest of 'Hansul rice' this year is taking place in Okjeon Village, Doam-myeon, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do. / ⓒ Asia Economy

[Gangjin＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-su] On the 18th, Rice Day, established by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in 2015 to promote rice consumption and its value, the first rice harvest of the year took place in Okjeon Village, Doam-myeon, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do.

According to Gangjin-gun, the early-maturing Hansel rice harvested that day was cultivated using the one-time root irrigation pesticide treatment method for rice pests and diseases, a technique developed by the Jeonnam Agricultural Research and Extension Services in 2016, which requires only one pesticide treatment at the seedbed stage.

The Gangjin Agricultural Technology Center first introduced this method on a trial basis in 2017 and successfully applied it to early cultivation of early-maturing rice varieties in the region, covering the largest area in Jeonnam, known to be over approximately 300 hectares.

The one-time root irrigation pesticide treatment method for rice pests and diseases is an optimal farming technique for early cultivation of early-maturing rice varieties, where pesticide is applied once to the seedbed before transplanting, eliminating the need for additional pesticide applications until harvest.

Despite damage caused by record-breaking heavy rains and waterlogging in early July during the growing period, there were no occurrences of diseases such as rice blast and sheath blight, receiving great acclaim from farmers.

Moreover, this revolutionary farming method, which reduces labor and costs in aging and female-dominated rural areas, is expected to rapidly spread among farms during periods when pest and disease outbreaks are frequent.

Kim Gun-ja, who harvested the first crop that day, said, “As soon as the technology was introduced, the one-time root irrigation treatment was applied to the entire area of early-maturing rice,” adding, “I am glad to have reaped a bountiful harvest without damage despite the heavy rain and scorching heat.”