Expanding Food Production through Groundwater Irrigation in Korea

Because of an unfavorable rainfall pattern and insufficient irrigation facilities, Korea has to import nearly one-fifth - $80 million/annually - of its domestic food supply. In order to increase food production, the Government is organizing and implementing a nations-wide effort to irrigate 70,000 hectares of rice paddy with groundwater tubewells. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as executing agency, is offering assistance in the form of pilot irrigation schemes and on-the-job training for local personnel in the operation of such projects.
A groundwater pumping site near Sinchon.