South Korea: Rice planthopper disaster recovery funds payment in November

The South Korean government has declared rice planthopper damage as an agricultural disaster and will reimburse farmers for recovery expenses. The decision was made by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs after this year's unusual climate conditions led to increased planthopper breeding and damage. Farmers will receive subsidies and loans for green onions and pesticides, and there will be provisions for livelihood support and repayment postponement for agricultural policy funds. This is the first time rice planthopper damage has been recognized as an agricultural disaster in South Korea, following similar recognitions for pests and diseases caused by abnormal weather conditions. The government also plans to purchase all rice damaged by planthoppers or heavy rain to prevent the distribution of low-quality rice.

The government recognizes rice planthopper damage as an agricultural disaster and pays disaster recovery expenses. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs recently held the ‘Agricultural Disaster Countermeasure Deliberation Committee’ at the Sejong Government Complex and made this decision. Local governments will receive damage status reports by the 21st and disaster recovery expenses such as green onions and pesticides will be paid out within November. Green onions and pesticides will be paid differentially according to the damage rate. Farmers with a damage rate of 80% or more will receive KRW 3.52 million per 1ha (3,000 pyeong) in green onions (50% subsidy, 30% loan, 20% self-payment). Farmers with a damage rate of 30% or more but less than 80% will receive KRW 790,000 per 1ha in pesticides (100% subsidy). If you have subscribed to crop disaster insurance (pest control special contract), you will receive insurance money but will not receive green onions. However, if ...