Choi Young-il, former governor of Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk, visited drought-affected farming sites on the 20th ahead of the full-scale farming season, emphasizing his usual principle that "all administration, including drought-affected farming sites, should be field-centered, and the answer lies in the field," actively communicating with farmers.
According to the county on the 21st, Governor Choi is once again personally visiting drought sites in 11 towns and townships until the 3rd of next month, seeking measures through meetings with farmers struggling due to a shortage of agricultural water.
Choi Young-il, the head of Sunchang County, visited the drought site in preparation for farming. [Photo by Sunchang County]
Visiting the sites with related officials, Governor Choi said, "The county is expected to avoid major damage through proactive responses to drought damage, such as reservoir management and expansion of agricultural water supply facilities," adding, "However, do not let your guard down and do your best to ensure no inconvenience in farming through continuous monitoring."
He continued, "Related officials should personally inspect reservoirs with low water levels and farming sites lacking agricultural water and strive to minimize farming damage," adding, "Before the full-scale farming season arrives, do your best to prepare multifaceted measures such as reservoir water storage, installation of simple pumping stations, and wells."
Although drought damage during the farming season was a concern due to lower-than-average rainfall this year, thanks to diligent reservoir management, the average water storage rate of 135 reservoirs managed by the county has reached 87%, and no major problems are expected for farming.
This year, 19.7 billion KRW will be invested to expand and maintain agricultural production infrastructure, with all construction expected to be completed by May, the farming season, through the county's best efforts.
Additionally, to resolve agricultural water supply and small-scale farming inconveniences such as wells and pumps suggested during visits to towns and townships last month, 6.8 billion KRW will be secured in the second supplementary budget, and projects that farmers suffering from drought can directly feel will be promoted.
Sunchang = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Jeong Young-gwon baekok@asiae.co.kr
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