The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has announced an expansion of support for disaster prevention facilities in orchards, aiming to mitigate production disruptions caused by abnormal weather. This year, the initiative will cover 2,000 hectares, a substantial increase from the previous 886 hectares. The budget allocation has been raised to $4,138,300, marking a 2.6-fold increase from last year.
Priority will be given to farms diversifying crop varieties beyond the traditional Shin-go pears and Fuji apples. Last year, Shin-go pears accounted for 84.6% of pear cultivation, while Fuji apples represented 66.4% of apple cultivation. The government's strategy focuses on reducing production declines and preventing price surges, which often result from weather-induced disruptions like altered flowering periods or damage from cold and hail.
Following an inspection of winter growth conditions, it was noted that pear flower bud growth is consistent with previous years. For apples, the flower bud differentiation rates stand at 54% for Fuji and 64% for Hongro, varying by variety. Deputy Minister Kim Jong-gu visited farms in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, to assess growth and prevention measures. He urged relevant agencies to "install disaster prevention facilities promptly and distribute cold damage prevention nutrients in a timely manner to ensure thorough growth management."
Source: Chosun Biz