Namwon-si Conducts 'Aerial Pest Control for Rice Diseases' to Alleviate Labor Shortage

[Namwon=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jeong Young-kwon] The Jeonbuk Namwon Agricultural Technology Center announced on the 12th that it will outsource aerial pest control for rice diseases and pests to four agricultural cooperatives to address the labor shortage in the aging rural areas.

With a total project cost of approximately 1.392 billion KRW, this aerial pest control will be conducted twice, with the second treatment scheduled for early to mid-next month following the first treatment.

The first aerial pest control covers an area of 6,954 hectares, starting on the 11th, and will proceed according to the schedule for highland and plain areas.

The pests targeted for control include rice blast, bacterial leaf blight, leaf sheath blight, planthoppers, and stink bugs. This project is expected to significantly contribute to alleviating the labor shortage in the aging rural communities.

Additionally, combined with the preemptive pest control project for rice diseases and pests (seedling treatment) that has been underway since 2012, farmers will be able to cultivate their crops with only two treatments, which is expected to contribute to increased income by reducing farm management costs.

An official from the Agricultural Technology Center stated, “We will do our best to resolve the difficulties in pest control caused by aging and to ensure the project is completed effectively and safely.”

Namwon=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jeong Young-kwon baekok@asiae.co.kr

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