The Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Graduate School of Plant Quarantine, which is considering measures to introduce the 'Plant Doctor System' for diagnosing and treating crop and plant pests and diseases, held an expert policy forum to discuss measures for institutionalization.

The Graduate School of Plant Quarantine, the Policy Research Team of the Rural Development Administration, and the JBNU Green Bio BK21 Project Division for Control of Plant and Animal Hazard Factors held a conference using Zoom on the 2nd and presented directions for institutionalization.

At the conference, Professor Kim Jae-su (Major Coordinator, Department of Plant Quarantine; Director of the BK21 Project Division) gave a presentation titled 'The Necessity and Implementation Measures of the Plant Doctor System.' Regarding the push for a Plant Doctor System, he proposed pursuing institutionalization as a service-model that can provide specialized capabilities to crop protection product sales managers.

Professor Kim said, "According to a survey conducted by the Graduate School of Plant Quarantine's Policy Research Team, 81% of farms need expert assistance in purchasing and using pesticides, and in particular 41% of farms were analyzed as being in urgent need of expert help. In terms of pesticide sales, the market for crop protection products operates under a voluntary pricing system and faces intense competition; a differentiated strategy is needed to resolve these issues."

He went on, "Survey results of sales managers showed that more than 40% indicated a need for specialized diagnostic and prescription experts. With the recent implementation of PLS, the variety of pesticides used by crop types has increased, so there is a need to provide salespeople with opportunities to develop professional diagnostic and prescription capabilities."

Meanwhile, the JBNU Graduate School of Plant Quarantine and its Policy Research Team are working, through ongoing policy forums aimed at introducing the Plant Doctor System, to reflect expert opinions from various sectors and propose policies that will benefit crop protection product manufacturers, sales managers, and farmers.