About 500 Farms and 400 Hectares in Geumjeong-myeon... Fruit Drop Rate Reaches 85%
County Requests Disaster Recognition from Korea Forest Service... Investigation Begins This Week
Woonghee Woo, Yeongam County Governor, is inspecting the damage site of Daebong persimmons in Geumjeong-myeon on the 4th. Provided by Yeongam County
Yeongam County has responded swiftly to develop support measures for Daebong persimmon farmers affected by fruit drop.
According to Yeongam County on July 7, an investigation on June 30 in Buwol and Waungi-dong villages in Geumjeong-myeon, covering about 500 affected farms and 400 hectares, revealed that the fruit drop rate reached as high as 85%.
A county official identified the causes of the damage as rapid temperature changes, including abnormal heat and large diurnal temperature differences. The official explained that the fruit drop phenomenon began about a week after pollination, around May 25. In particular, between June 5 and 7, temperature fluctuations ranged from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius, and from June 13 to 21, a total of approximately 164.5mm of rainfall was recorded. These conditions led to a decline in root function, irregular respiration, and water stress, which together intensified the fruit drop.
As a result, on July 4, Yeongam County reported the fruit drop damage to the Korea Forest Service through South Jeolla Province and requested that the disaster be officially recognized.
The Korea Forest Service, in response to Yeongam County’s request, plans to dispatch officials from the National Institute of Forest Science to the site as early as July 8 to conduct an investigation.
The Yeongam County Council has also joined the county government in developing measures to prevent further damage. In addition to Geumjeong-myeon, the county plans to simultaneously investigate damage across 100 hectares in Yeongam-eup, Deokjin-myeon, and Sinbuk-myeon. Considering that Daebong persimmons are cultivated by 904 farms over 809.5 hectares in Yeongam County, the extent of the damage is expected to increase significantly.
Woonghee Woo, Governor of Yeongam County, said, "It is heartbreaking that Daebong persimmons, which were damaged by sunburn last year, are now suffering from excessive fruit drop. We will work together with South Jeolla Province and the Korea Forest Service to identify the cause and develop countermeasures, joining forces with the local community to minimize the damage to farmers."
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