(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Yoon-gu = The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 23rd that it will introduce a new comprehensive risk insurance product for four fruit crops—apples, pears, persimmons, and astringent persimmons—in certain cities and counties that are major production areas throughout the entire period.
This product compensates for all damages caused by natural disasters during the entire growth period, including after fruit thinning, and also covers damages from heatstroke caused by heatwaves after fruit thinning, making it more advantageous than existing products. The existing products only compensate for damages caused by specific natural disasters after fruit thinning.
In particular, the natural disaster anthrax insurance, which is being piloted for apples, compensates for anthrax damages when it is difficult to control due to weather conditions, despite the efforts of farmers to prevent damage.
Considering the delays in sowing and planting of garlic and onions due to heavy rains and the demand on the ground, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to extend the enrollment period for agricultural income stabilization insurance and crop disaster insurance by one week each to encourage many farmers to enroll in the insurance.
ykim@yna.co.kr