Starting April 5, Management Support Vouchers Worth 300,000 KRW to Be Provided to Small-Scale Farms

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 31st that it will provide vouchers worth 300,000 KRW per farm to small-scale farms vulnerable to COVID-19 damage starting from the 5th of next month.

The vouchers will be provided following the confirmation of the first supplementary budget for 2021 on the 25th. The support targets approximately 430,000 farms that received the small-scale farm direct payment under the public interest direct payment system last year.

Eligible farms can apply by visiting the local agricultural and livestock cooperatives, product cooperatives, or Nonghyup Bank at the location of their cultivated farmland between the 5th and 30th of next month, or apply online through the Nonghyup Card website.

The vouchers will be provided by charging points to the existing Nonghyup credit or check cards owned by the recipients. If they do not have a card, they can apply for and receive a check card on-site. Farms that cannot issue new cards can receive prepaid cards at designated agricultural and livestock cooperatives or Nonghyup Bank branches after May 14.

The vouchers can only be used in industries specified in the announced guidelines, such as agriculture, tools, and fuel. Points received must be used within 90 days from the date of issuance, and prepaid cards must be used by August 31. Any remaining balance after the expiration date will be forfeited.

Recipients of the vouchers cannot receive emergency employment stabilization funds or small business support funds plus simultaneously. Farms notified of non-payment can file objections with additional supporting documents at the town, township, or neighborhood community centers from May 3 to 7.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to notify eligible recipients by KakaoTalk message or text message by May 2, informing them about the voucher availability and guiding them on the application period and method.

The 'COVID-19 Overcome Farming Support Voucher' project included in this supplementary budget is currently preparing detailed guidelines and is scheduled to be announced on the 7th of next month.

Yoon Wonseup, Policy Planning Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "We hope this voucher project can provide some help to small-scale elderly farms struggling due to COVID-19," and added, "We will do our best for prompt and thorough execution."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.