KREI enhances observation data accuracy through on-site sample measuring   

The Department of Agricultural Outlook of KREI has introduced an on-site sample measuring for the first time in two decades of agricultural observation history. The new methodology will raise the accuracy of agricultural observation and contribute to enhancing the government’s policy of supply and demand and providing farmers with useful information for their farming plans.

According to the result of the on-site measuring on garlic and onion cultivation areas, the garlic cultivation area for 2020 diminished 9% from the previous year due to the price downturn in 2019. However, the total size amounted to 25,090ha, 2% bigger than the average year. The onion cultivation for 2020 was down 18% from the previous year impacted by price decrease in 2019. Its total size amounted to 17,930ha, 12% down compared with the average year.

Compared with the Department’s estimations through a phone survey, the on-site measuring results showed 0.1% up for garlic and 3.1% up for onions.

Through on-site measuring for cultivation area, inspectors visit farms in person, check on cultivation, and measure the size for cultivation. As the new methodology applies cadastre information and the geographic information system, its estimation is expected to be more accurate than the phone survey and elicit reliable data.