[Public Voices] Healing Agriculture: A Social Prescription for the Elderly

"Social Prescription" Emerges as a Solution for Depression Among the Elderly
Healing Agriculture—Combining Nature, Activity, and Social Interaction—Draws Attention
Need for Sustainable Services Linked to Welfare Systems

Korean society has already entered a super-aged era. Changes in population structure go beyond simple statistics and raise the question of "how to age well," which is fundamentally a matter of quality of life. Among these issues, mental health in the elderly is the most vulnerable area. According to a survey by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the status of the elderly, more than one in ten elderly people in South Korea experiences symptoms of depression. Depression is not merely a temporary drop in mood. It leads to feelings of emptiness, lethargy, and social disconnection, diminishing one's will to live and, in severe cases, can result in sleep disorders, memory loss, and even the risk of extreme choices. Elderly depression is not just an individual concern; it is a societal challenge that must be addressed collectively by the community and the nation.

Behind depression in old age, "isolation" is usually present. After retirement, as social roles diminish and personal relationships weaken, the risk of depression increases. The solution must also be found in restoring relationships. At this point, the concept of "social prescription" is gaining attention. This approach aims to alleviate loneliness and isolation—issues that cannot be resolved solely through medication or therapy—by fostering community activities and the formation of interpersonal relationships. It is a method that helps emotional recovery through participation in everyday life, such as cultural and artistic activities or community programs.

Agriculture is an important resource that can put this social prescription into practice. The process of touching soil, cultivating crops, and moving the body in nature is an experience that blends physical activity, sensory stimulation, and social interaction. It is not just a simple activity; the act of taking care of living things and producing results helps participants regain a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem, leading to emotional stability. Moreover, joint activities with others in nature serve as a medium to reconnect people with one another.

The National Institute of Crop Science at the Rural Development Administration has confirmed these possibilities in the field. The institute operated a healing agriculture program for urban-dwelling seniors that combined nature experiences using barley and rapeseed, crafting activities, cooking and dietary programs, and agricultural work. Seniors participating in the program conversed, collaborated, and shared emotional connections with each other. As a result, participants' feelings of depression decreased by an average of 33%, and brainwave analysis confirmed positive changes in emotional and cognitive domains. In particular, agricultural work that involved touching soil and tending crops showed a greater reduction in feelings of depression, at 46.6%.

These effects were also observed in healing programs for retirees. Depression levels improved from "mild" to "normal." Levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, also decreased. This suggests that agricultural activities can be used as a practical resource to support mental health, going beyond mere leisure.

The important task is to develop these experiences into sustainable services rather than one-time events. It is necessary to build participation structures by linking with existing welfare systems, such as customized care services for the elderly, and to expand these into community-based programs. When scientific verification by research institutions is combined with community participation, healing agriculture can establish itself not as an alternative to medical care, but as a social resource that fills the emotional gaps often missed by medical and welfare systems.

In a super-aged society, health is not simply about extending lifespan. The essence lies in "how to create an environment where people can live well together in relationships with others." Healing agriculture, which connects people with nature, will become a practical and compassionate solution that transforms the later years of life from "time spent enduring alone" into "time spent recovering together."

Byungseok Kim, Director of the National Institute of Crop Science at the Rural Development Administration

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