Government Provides Seeds, Farming Equipment, and More to Farmers Affected by Wildfires... Extension of Agricultural and Livestock Management Fund Repayment

by Ju Sangdon

Published 19 Apr.2023 09:24(KST)

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 19th that it will implement emergency support measures to minimize the inconvenience to farmers affected by the simultaneous wildfires nationwide and the wildfire in Gangneung, Gangwon Province.

First, to prepare for cases where seeds for spring sowing could not be secured due to the loss of agricultural warehouses, government-held rice seeds and seedlings/young trees that can be cultivated in the affected areas will be supplied. While supporting the repair of damaged agricultural machinery, farming tools and materials such as hoes, sickles, seedling trays, potting soil, and fertilizers will be provided through the NongHyup (National Agricultural Cooperative Federation).

Additionally, veterinarians will be dispatched to treat and care for livestock affected by burns, smoke inhalation, and other injuries, and emergency supplies such as supplementary feed will be provided. In particular, safety inspections will be conducted for collapsed barns or electrical leakage risks to prevent secondary accidents.

Furthermore, government rice for disaster relief will be supplied free of charge to displaced persons, and to stabilize farmers' management, the repayment period for agricultural and livestock management funds used as farming capital will be extended and interest reduced. If additional funds are needed, disaster management funds and agricultural facility restoration funds will also be supported.

For farms insured under disaster insurance, insurance payments will be calculated promptly upon report through swift investigation, and if the farm requests, 50% of the estimated insurance amount will be paid in advance.

Kang Hyung-seok, Director of Planning and Coordination at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "We plan to actively support affected farmers to return to their daily lives as soon as possible by checking the progress of emergency support measures and discovering and implementing additional necessary measures through close cooperation with local governments and regional NongHyup."

[Image source=Yonhap News]