As prolonged drought and heat continue, agricultural damage in Gwangju, South Korea, has exceeded 100 hectares, with livestock deaths reaching 320,000.
The Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 13th that it is continuously monitoring agricultural water supply and enhancing emergency water delivery and support for farmers, particularly in areas with low reservoir levels.
As of August 11, the total agricultural damage due to drought and heat has been reported at 103.7 hectares across 17 cities and districts.
In terms of specific crops, rice has suffered damage on 32.3 hectares, representing 0.02% of the total cultivated area, while soybeans have been affected on 21.2 hectares, or 0.17% of their cultivated area.
The impact on livestock is even more severe. In 19 cities and counties, 218 farms have reported the death of 320,100 animals due to the heat.
The shortage of rainfall has also raised alarms regarding the availability of agricultural water.
The cumulative rainfall in the Gwangju area stands at 738.2 mm, which is 82% of the normal level of 900.1 mm. The average water level in 3,206 local reservoirs is at 44.1%, significantly lower than the normal level of 64.7%, which is 68.2% of the average.
The Gwangju Metropolitan City is utilizing nearby pumping stations to supply agricultural water to areas with low reservoir levels and is deploying available equipment, including fire trucks and water supply vehicles, to provide emergency water support.
The city has also requested an expansion of government support to alleviate the burden on farmers. On August 5, it proposed additional tax-exempt fuel allocations for agricultural water pumps in drought-affected areas and an expansion of the subsidy program for tax-exempt agricultural fuel linked to fuel prices.
Farmers who have subscribed to crop disaster insurance are being advised to report damages promptly to agricultural cooperatives to facilitate early insurance payouts.
In collaboration with the Agricultural Technology Institute, the city is enhancing on-site technical guidance for the recovery of damaged crops through foliar fertilization and pesticide application. Livestock farmers are being provided with heat stress relief products and are encouraged to reduce their livestock numbers by 10% and to consider early sales to minimize further losses.
The number of heat-related illnesses among farmers is also on the rise. As of August 9, there have been 70 reported cases, an increase of 14 from the same period last year. Among these, 32 cases, or 45.7%, involve individuals aged 70 and older.
The Gwangju Metropolitan City has deployed heat illness prevention personnel and safety managers to the field and is strengthening safety management for vulnerable groups, including elderly farmers, during the heatwave.
Jeong Won-jin, head of the Gwangju Metropolitan City’s Food and Horticulture Division, stated, “In the ongoing situation of heat and drought, ensuring the safety of farmers and preventing crop damage is of utmost importance. We will strengthen field inspections and utilize available resources and budgets to secure agricultural water and minimize damage.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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