Climate and Agriculture Ministries Sign Water Management MOU: Livestock Manure-to-Energy and Agricultural Water Supply Improvements

The government is simultaneously pursuing water quality improvement and strengthening agricultural competitiveness through water management policies.

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on March 4 that they had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation on water management policy at the Government Complex Sejong.

This agreement was established in light of the recently confirmed "Nakdong River Water Quality Improvement Measures." The aim is to advance the management of pollution sources in the agricultural and livestock sectors and to improve water use systems through inter-ministerial cooperation. Both ministries plan to build a mutually beneficial model that reduces the burden on the field and enhances sustainability by linking environmental and agricultural policies.

Geum Hanseung, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, is presiding over a joint inspection meeting on emergency fine dust reduction measures at the Government Complex Sejong on the 16th. Photo by Yonhap News

Under the agreement, the two ministries will focus on the following initiatives: ▲Producing renewable energy and improving water quality through the energy conversion of livestock manure ▲Expanding the use of best management practices (BMPs) to reduce pollutant runoff from farmland ▲Strengthening the foundation for stable agricultural water use by improving water intake and pumping stations.

The energy conversion of livestock manure is regarded as a key method for achieving both water quality improvement and greenhouse gas reduction. The ministries plan to revise related systems and expand support for facilities so that livestock manure can be converted into energy sources such as biogas, thereby reducing watershed pollution loads while increasing the production of renewable energy.

The management methods for farmland will also be improved. Reducing fertilizer application through soil testing and appropriate fertilization can lower fertilizer costs, thereby reducing the management burden on farmers. The expansion of best management practices, such as the supply of slow-release fertilizers and the installation of water gates, is expected to enhance the efficiency of farm operations and help alleviate the labor burden in aging rural communities.

In addition, by improving water intake and pumping facilities, the ministries aim to establish a stable supply system for agricultural water even under climate crisis conditions such as drought. This is intended to reduce uncertainties in agricultural production and improve the stability of the farming environment.

Kim Jonggu, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, chaired a fire prevention activity inspection meeting with relevant agencies in preparation for the "Spring Wildfire Prevention Week" at the Government Complex Sejong on the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News

To enhance the effectiveness of the agreement, the two ministries will regularly operate a vice-ministerial policy council and review project progress through a director-general-level working group. They will also continue to consult on improving systems and resolving challenges faced in the field.

Geum Hanseung, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, stated, "The energy conversion of livestock manure and the improvement of water intake and pumping facilities are structural solutions that simultaneously drive water quality improvement and climate crisis response. We will work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to ensure that environmental policies translate into strengthened agricultural competitiveness."

Kim Jonggu, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "Appropriate fertilization and the expansion of best management practices are practical agricultural innovation policies that reduce costs and labor burdens for farmers. Through this agreement, we will enhance the sustainability of agriculture and rural communities and deliver tangible results that can be felt on the ground."

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