Experts in related fields, including those from the Graduate School of Plant Quarantine jointly operated by Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), Chonnam National University and Kyungpook National University, held a policy forum on the 10th to discuss various institutional measures for introducing the 'Plant Doctor System' for diagnosis of crop pests and prescription of crop protection products.

Co-hosted by the Graduate School of Plant Quarantine, the Plant Health Expert Policy Research Team of the Rural Development Administration, and JBNU's Green Bio BK21 Project Division for Control of Animal and Plant Hazard Factors, the forum presented the necessity of promoting the Plant Doctor initiative, educational measures, and the results of a survey of farmers on pesticide use.

President Kim Dong-won of JBNU, Vice-President Choi Baek-ryeol, President Ko Young-jin of Suncheon National University (former President of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology), Professor Kim Gil-ha of Chungbuk National University (former President of the Korean Society of Applied Entomology), Professor Kim Heung-tae of Chungbuk National University (former President of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology, current President of the Korean Society of Pesticide Science), Professor Kwon O-seok of Kyungpook National University (current President of the Korean Society of Entomology), Professor Lee Gui-jae of JBNU (Director of the Creative Talent Training Project for Convergence of Agricultural and Food Technology), along with senior officials from the Rural Development Administration, the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, and numerous representatives from academia and industry attended in large numbers.

As the first presenter, JBNU Professor Kim Jae-su (Major Head, Plant Protection; Director, BK21 Project Division) proposed institutionalization that grants market-centered choices enabling mutually beneficial coexistence among crop protection product manufacturers, distribution organizations and farmers in relation to advancing the Plant Doctor system.

Professor Kim stated, “According to a survey conducted by this policy team, 81% of farms need expert assistance in purchasing and using pesticides, and 41% of farms were found to be in urgent need of such expert help. On the sales side, the crop protection product market operates under a voluntary pricing system and faces intense competition. Differentiation strategies are required to address these issues. It is noteworthy that retailers, who contribute significantly to the crop protection industry, are beginning to show interest in the Tree Doctor program administered by the Korea Forest Service.” He added, “With the implementation of PLS and the diversification of pesticides used across crops, there is a need to offer retailers additional service opportunities to develop professional diagnostic and prescription capabilities. The choice should remain with the retailers.”

Professor Kwon Deok-ho of the Korea National University of Agriculture and Fisheries then presented the characteristics of pesticide-related laws and the opinions of pesticide users. Professor Kwon said, “Pesticide-related laws include the Pesticide Management Act, the Plant Quarantine Act and the Forest Protection Act, and there is a demand to designate a responsible person who can manage diagnosis and prescription. Current user satisfaction with pesticide diagnosis and prescription is relatively high, but it also shows the need for a more precise and rapid diagnostic and prescription system.”

Professor Lee Se-jin of Suncheon National University proposed an educational approach for training Plant Doctors that would attract existing retailers by offering them choices. He emphasized the need to operate a curriculum that includes basic knowledge and field-oriented professional skills, and stressed that, during institutionalization, experienced retailers who have prescribed crop protection products should be given options while efforts are made to devise ways for farmers and retailers to coexist mutually.

In addition, JBNU Professor Kim So-ra introduced the functions and roles of the Graduate School of Plant Quarantine jointly operated by JBNU, Kyungpook National University and Chonnam National University. She noted, in particular, that the Graduate School of Plant Quarantine has been selected, in cooperation with the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, as an operating institution for the quarantine inspector qualification examination, underscoring the school’s role as a cradle for talent in the quarantine field.

Meanwhile, experts from the Graduate School of Plant Quarantine and related fields said they will continue to reflect diverse opinions from across society through policy forums and other channels to propose policies that can benefit crop protection product manufacturers, distributors and farmers alike.