The Rural Development Administration has converted barren reclaimed land in Saemangeum into fertile fields using fermented cattle manure [1, 2].
This transformation addresses a critical agricultural challenge in North Jeolla Province. The reclaimed soil was initially too poor for sustainable farming, which limited the region's ability to produce essential food crops.
According to reports, the organic-matter content of the Saemangeum reclaimed land was originally only about 10% of the levels found in typical farmland [2]. This deficiency made the cultivation of crops extremely difficult. To solve this, the Rural Development Administration began a soil improvement program seven years ago [2].
The agency applied 1,500 kg of fermented cattle manure per 10 a (approximately 1,000 square meters) every year [1]. This consistent application of organic matter over a seven-year period fundamentally altered the soil chemistry [1].
Data shows that the organic-matter content in the soil rose from an initial 2.3 g to 13.3 g [1]. This represents an increase of approximately five-fold [1].
As a result of this process, the once-barren ground now supports the growth of barley, beans, and corn [1, 2]. The shift from sterile reclaimed land to productive acreage demonstrates the efficacy of long-term organic composting in marginalized environments.
Officials involved in the project said the soil's ability to sustain these crops is a direct result of the increased organic matter. The program has effectively turned the reclaimed area into "fertile fields" capable of supporting diverse agriculture [1, 2].
“The organic-matter content in the soil rose from an initial 2.3 g to 13.3 g.”
The success of the Saemangeum project provides a scalable model for reclaiming marginal or salt-affected lands. By utilizing fermented cattle manure to bridge the organic matter gap, South Korea is demonstrating how agricultural waste can be repurposed to create new arable land, potentially increasing domestic food security for staples like corn and beans.
