(Yeongguang=Yonhap News) Reporter Jang Deok-jong = Yeongguang County in Jeollanam-do announced on the 28th that it has fully expanded its rice straw natural circulation return project to support farmers facing difficulties due to the spread of rice blast disease and delayed harvest this year.
The project is being pushed forward with applications received for participation from 5,250 hectares, which corresponds to 70% of the total rice cultivation area.
The rice straw return project involves cutting rice straw into small pieces and returning it to the fields instead of using it as feed or incinerating and disposing of it.
It is expected to increase the organic matter content of the soil and reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests.
Yeongguang County stated that the project has multiple effects, including strengthening resistance to diseases and pests, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and achieving carbon neutrality, in the context of repeated abnormal temperatures due to climate change.
County Mayor Jang Sae-il said, "The instability of the agricultural environment due to climate change, among other factors, is increasing," and added, "We will continue to expand natural circulation agricultural policies, including the rice straw return project, reflecting the needs of the field."