Jeonnam Headquarters of Korea Rural Community Corporation, Making Every Effort to Secure Agricultural Water Supply

Published 22 Mar.2023 15:10(KST)

The Jeonnam Regional Headquarters of the Korea Rural Community Corporation is operating a drought countermeasure situation room and is making every effort to secure water supply.

On the 22nd, according to the Jeonnam Headquarters of the Rural Community Corporation, in cooperation with Jeonnam Province, they are focusing on inspecting the management status of water facilities and water development projects, especially in areas with insufficient water supply, to ensure completion before the farming season.

Water for agricultural use is being secured through pumping and storage at Seongmun Reservoir in Jangseong. [Photo by Jeonnam Headquarters, Korea Rural Community Corporation]

The reservoir storage rate of 1,052 reservoirs managed by the Jeonnam Regional Headquarters stands at 52.7%, which is 16.5% lower than the average year, and is significantly lower compared to the national average reservoir storage rate of 71%.

The main cause is attributed to the accumulated rainfall of only 194.0 mm over the past six months.

Accordingly, since last November, the Jeonnam Regional Headquarters has been continuously conducting pumping and storage operations from rivers at 106 sites, aiming to secure 14,130 thousand tons of water, and has secured 9,480 thousand tons, or 67%, to date.

In particular, except for Gwangjuho, the four major lakes showing reservoir storage rates in the 30% range have completely suspended the supply of water for other purposes and river maintenance water.

As the drought prolongs, water supply is being provided even to areas not covered by the Jeonnam Headquarters' beneficiary area. A total of 2.5 million tons of water was supplied only to areas where local farmers agreed, mainly island regions struggling with a shortage of domestic water.

Water is also being supplied to 2,441 hectares of field crops in extreme drought areas.

Before the full-scale farming season begins next month, the Jeonnam Headquarters plans to implement direct water supply (directly supplying water from rivers to canals) through reservoir refilling and drainage utilization, and subsequently conduct a nationwide water-saving campaign including collective seedbed preparation and paddy water retention, continuing joint responses with related agencies.

In addition, the Jeonnam Headquarters is also promoting permanent drought countermeasures and is working hard to prepare plans to minimize drought damage.

To solve the recurring water shortage problems in the southwestern coastal area of Jeonnam, they are exploring solutions through water system connections and the development of new water sources.

In particular, they are focusing on expanding multi-purpose rural water development projects that can overcome drought and rural water use system reorganization projects utilizing surplus water from the Yeongsan River, in consultation with Jeollanam-do and related agencies.

Jo Young-ho, head of the Jeonnam Regional Headquarters, said, “All employees are focusing on securing water for this year’s farming, and we are continuously building cooperative systems with local governments and related organizations to prepare long-term plans that require budgets. We will do our best to create an environment where farmers can cultivate without worrying about water through permanent countermeasures.”