Jeongeup-si Launches Pest and Disease Control Project with 2.2 Billion KRW Investment

Published 06 Apr.2023 13:20(KST)

Jeongeup-si, Jeonbuk Province, is promoting the ‘Pest and Disease Control Support Project’ in response to the increase in rice pest and disease outbreaks caused by climate anomalies such as global warming.

According to the city on the 6th, this project supports the use of rice seedling bed treatment agents across the entire rice cultivation area, including eco-friendly farms, to prevent rice diseases such as bacterial leaf blight, rice blast, and brown planthopper infestations.

Jeongeup City to Invest 2.2 Billion KRW in Pest Control Project<br>[Photo by Jeongeup City]

Jeongeup City to Invest 2.2 Billion KRW in Pest Control Project
[Photo by Jeongeup City]

This year, with a budget of 2.2 billion KRW, the city plans to support 6,623 farms covering 12,183 hectares in the region by subsidizing 50-80% of the cost of purchasing pesticides.

Before launching the project, the city held a Pest and Disease Control Council in January, composed of agricultural organizations, the Nonghyup (National Agricultural Cooperative Federation), and public officials, to select pesticides for 10 items.

Farmers registered as agricultural business entities who wish to participate in the pest and disease control support project can apply for seedling bed treatment agents through their local eup, myeon, or dong offices.

The seedling bed treatment agent can be applied together with rice seed sowing or dusted on the seedling bed three days before transplanting. This ensures long-lasting pesticide efficacy after transplanting, reducing pest and disease damage during the early growth stage.

Additionally, the pesticide application method is simple, and the control costs are low, helping to alleviate labor shortages caused by aging farmers, improve rice competitiveness through reduced production costs, and increase farm income.

However, even when using seedling bed treatment agents, the duration of pesticide efficacy may decrease faster than expected in some cases, so farmers should regularly monitor pests and diseases to prevent damage caused by reduced pesticide effectiveness.

An official from the Agricultural Technology Center said, “In recent years, damage from rice blast, bacterial grain rot, and narrow brown leaf spot has been increasing,” adding, “We plan to regularly monitor pests and diseases and promote awareness to minimize damage to farms.”