Visit to an Irrigation Project in Gangwon Province

11/24/2017

On occasion of the visit of Prof. Dr. Irma Rybnikova, a visit to an irrigation project in Anbandegi region of Gangneung, Gangwon province, took place. Prof. Rybnikova as well as Dr. Bernhard Seliger and Dr. Choi Hyun-Ah of Hanns Seidel Foundation and Dr. Kim Kwan-Ho of the Rural Research Institute, partner of HSF, were met by Park Hyun-Mok, head of the rural administration at Gangneug city and were briefed about the works of the rural administration, in particular with regard to droughts and water supplies for farmers and the population.

Prof. Rybnikowa (University of applied sciences Hamm-Lippstadt), Dr. Seliger (HSF), Park Hyun-Mok (Rural Administration Gangneung)

Afterwards, the group visited the Obong reservoir, which provides Gangneung with fresh water produces clean energy (hydropower) and is important for farmers. From there, the group moved to Anbandegi, 195 hectares of farmland more than 1000 meters high. There, fourteen percent of the China cabbage necessary to make the national dish “Kimchi” are produced. However, irrigation is tricky and needs a very special system of interrelated reservoirs and pumps. The experience of the South Korean rural administration might one day also help to modernize agriculture and agroforestry in North Korea, which suffers from problems of drought and water shortage.

Finally, Prof. Rybnikova and the team of HSF moved to Gyongpo wetland in Gangneung, which recently has been renovated as part of the preparation of the city for hosting the winter Olympics in 2018.

Back