Gyeongnam Nonghyup Holds "Sparse Rice Seedling Planting Demonstration"

Gyeongnam Nonghyup held a "Sparse Rice Seedling Transplantation Demonstration Event" on the 27th at a farm located in Gurang-ri, Seopo-myeon, Sacheon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, to reduce labor and production costs.

The event drew attention as Cho Geunsoo, Head of Gyeongnam Nonghyup, Hwang Ilhyeon, President of Seopo Nonghyup, Jo Ikje, Director of Sacheon Agricultural Technology Center, and about 80 local farmers attended and showcased the sparse rice seedling transplantation using a straight-line rice transplanter.

Gyeongnam Nonghyup, commemorative photo of the rice seedling sparse planting demonstration meeting. [Image provided by Gyeongnam Nonghyup]

Sparse rice seedling transplantation is a labor-saving cultivation technique that reduces management costs by widening the planting distance during transplanting and thereby decreasing the number of seedling trays required.

According to the Rural Development Administration, this method can reduce the number of seedling trays by 50-70%, and by shortening the time required from sowing to transplanting, it can reduce labor by 27% and costs by 42% compared to conventional farming, making it a newly recognized agricultural method.

President Hwang stated, "Through this demonstration event, we will do our best to provide farming support activities for farmers during the busy farming season in close cooperation with the local administration."

Head Cho said, "With the aging rural population, it is difficult to secure labor and it is urgent to reduce production costs. Gyeongnam Nonghyup will do its utmost to establish various advanced farming methods that lower management costs and increase farm income."