Geochang-gun Launches Rural Labor Support... Focus Period for Apple Thinning and Grape Shoot Pinching Underway

Geochang County officials participating in rural labor assistance.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam Province, undertook rural labor assistance over two days on the 26th and 27th to help seven farms in five myeon (townships) struggling with labor shortages during the busy farming season. The farms are located in Ungyang, Mari, Namsang, Gajo, and Gabuk myeon.

Amid worsening rural labor shortages due to COVID-19 and rural aging, 74 employees from 20 departments of Geochang County Office and 31 employees from 2 departments of Geochang Office of Education participated during the focused rural labor assistance period in May and June, supporting apple thinning and grape shoot pinching tasks.

Mr. Kim Jun-hoe, head of a farm in Mari-myeon, said, "The apple thinning period overlaps, and in recent years it has been difficult to find labor, often causing us to miss the optimal timing for the work," adding, "Even a small helping hand was a great support through this labor assistance."

Kim Tae-hee, Acting Governor of Geochang-gun, said, "Many farms are facing difficulties in various ways," and added, "I hope that active participation from related organizations and groups during the focused operation period will help alleviate the hardships of farms suffering from labor shortages."