National Grassland Area 32,388ha Decreases Year-on-Year... Jeju 48%

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Announces 2021 Pasture Management Survey Results

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Last year, the domestic pasture area slightly decreased from the previous year to 32,388 hectares (ha). Among regions, Jeju-do had the largest share of pasture area. About half of the domestic pasture was used for grazing.

According to the '2021 Pasture Management Survey' results announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on the 12th, the nationwide pasture area last year was recorded at 32,388 ha, a 0.5% decrease from the previous year. This is about half of the 66,301 ha recorded in 1995. The pasture area has been steadily decreasing due to conversion (change of purpose) for agricultural and fishery land and various development projects, as well as reforestation.

By city and province, Jeju-do accounted for 15,637 ha, or 48% of the national total, followed by Gangwon with 5,021 ha (15.5%), Chungnam with 2,488 ha (7.7%), and Jeonnam with 1,796 ha (5.6%). All cities and provinces showed a decreasing trend or maintained the same level as the previous year, with Gangwon decreasing by 57 ha and Jeju by 39 ha.

By pasture type, grazing pasture for livestock breeding was the largest at 16,006 ha, accounting for 49.4% of the total, followed by forage crop fields at 5,899 ha (18.2%), and livestock barns and auxiliary facilities at 996 ha (3.1%). Unused pasture accounted for 9,486 ha, or 29.3% of the total. Of the 100 ha converted from pasture, 66.6 ha were used as agricultural land. Some were also converted for urban planning facilities and road purposes. The area released from pasture due to reforestation, loss of pasture function, and lack of management was 150 ha.

Jung Kyung-seok, Director of the Livestock Environment Resources Division at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "Pasture, classified as a carbon sink, plays a role in reducing greenhouse gases and is very important for establishing a sustainable livestock industry base. However, with the decrease in pasture utilization, reforestation and conversion are increasing." He added, "To increase the utilization of unused pasture, we plan to expand pasture creation support projects targeting livestock farms and strengthen the disclosure of information on unused pasture."

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