Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Announces 'Winter Agricultural Disaster Measures'... Minimizing Damage from Heavy Snow and Cold Waves

Operation of Agricultural Disaster Countermeasure Situation Room Until March Next Year

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced the '2024 Winter Agricultural Disaster Countermeasures' on the 14th to minimize damage in the agricultural sector caused by winter disasters such as heavy snow and cold waves. They plan to establish an Agricultural Disaster Countermeasure Situation Room and implement damage prevention, mitigation, and recovery support measures until March 15 of next year.

A view of vinyl greenhouses along the Nakdong River in Gumi, Gyeongbuk. Not related to the article content.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, this winter season (December to February) temperatures are expected to be generally higher than the average temperature of the past five years (1.3℃) and the normal temperature (0.5℃). Precipitation is expected to be similar to or less than the normal level (89.0mm). However, due to the influence of La Ni?a and continental high pressure, there may be significant variability in temperature and precipitation.

As a proactive measure to prevent winter damage, from the 20th of last month to the 10th of this month, the Ministry, together with local governments and the NongHyup, conducted preliminary inspections and completed reinforcement measures on approximately 4,300 vinyl greenhouses vulnerable to heavy snow damage and about 1,300 aging livestock barns, checking facility reinforcements, snow removal equipment, and thermal covers.

From this month, the Rural Development Administration will promote disaster prevention guidelines by sector, including agricultural facilities and crops, targeting farmers and product organizations. In case of damage, they plan to quickly implement emergency and permanent recovery support in cooperation with the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and local governments.

Song Mi-ryeong, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, emphasized, "Thorough preparation in advance is crucial to minimize damage caused by winter disasters," and urged, "Farmers should frequently check weather conditions through the media to prepare in advance so that damage from heavy snow and cold waves can be minimized."

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