[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] Uljin-gun, Gyeongbuk, is conducting emergency pest control using unmanned aerial vehicles starting from the 13th due to an increase in rice pests and diseases caused by an unprecedented long rainy season.
According to Uljin-gun on the 14th, the occurrence of major rice pests and diseases such as rice blast, false smut, and rice stem borer has surged by more than 30% compared to the average year due to heavy rain and low temperatures. Accordingly, an official from the Agricultural Technology Center stated that the rice harvest reduction rate is expected to exceed 20%.
Uljin-gun supported a budget of 150 million KRW for the first round of pest control over 996 hectares this year, and additionally secured another 150 million KRW budget to support the second emergency pest control over 1,295 hectares. The joint pest control is being operated on consignment by the local Nonghyup 119 pest control team and the drone pest control team.
Jeon Eun-woo, director of the Agricultural Technology Center, said, "During the cold damage in 2003, the rice yield was seriously affected by about 20%, but this year's weather is worse than in 2003," and urged, "We hope farmers will also make thorough efforts in monitoring and pest control."
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