[Editorial] Persimmons anthracnose disease is severe, should be included in agricultural crop disaster insurance coverage

Due to the aftermath of the unseasonal "autumn rainy season," damage to harvested crops is mounting, and the spread of anthrax in persimmons is deepening the plight of farmers. In Gyeongnam, the main persimmon-producing region, continuous rains since September have led to the spread of anthrax, resulting in numerous cases of farmers discarding persimmons that were about to be shipped. Anthrax is a fungal disease that easily proliferates in hot and humid environments. When infected, it causes black spots on the surface of the fruit, and as the disease progresses, the fruit rots and falls off. The Gyeongnam Persimmon Association estimates that the damage rate due to anthrax can reach up to 50%. As the scale of the damage grows, Gyeongnam Province plans to identify the damage status by city and county by the end of last month and propose to the government that it be recognized as an agricultural disaster. The Gyeongnam Persimmon Association also held a resolution meeting at the Grand ...