Suncheon-si Begins Operation of Support Program for Fostering Small but Strong Farmers

Strengthening Small-Scale Farmers' Self-Reliance and Income Growth to Develop Regional Leaders

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Heo Seok) announced on the 22nd that it will operate the Strong Small-scale Farmers (Gangsonong) Development Support Program until November this year to strengthen the self-reliance capabilities of small but strong agricultural management entities, increase income, and nurture local leaders as leading farmers.

The Gangsonong Development Support Program is a project that supports agricultural management entities to overcome the weakness of our agriculture with small-scale farming, increase the added value of agriculture by utilizing original technologies and ideas, and practice autonomous management innovation through continuous capacity development and differentiated competitiveness.

This year’s program aims to strengthen the management capabilities of Gangsonong farmers and will provide step-by-step education including basic and advanced training, follow-up education, capacity-building education, and consulting for 20 local farmers and young start-up farmers.

In addition, production technology and management technology will be supported through on-site consultation and consulting in collaboration with privately operated Gangsonong experts.

In November, Gangsonong farmers from each region will participate in the ‘2021 Gangsonong Expo’ hosted by the Rural Development Administration, promoting and selling agricultural products and processed goods they directly produced, sharing the latest agricultural information, and meeting consumers to enhance the pride of Gangsonong farmers and create an opportunity for sustainable growth.

Last year, despite the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, step-by-step education for Gangsonong farmers and acquisition of food processing technician qualifications were promoted. In particular, with the expansion of the non-face-to-face distribution market in the post-COVID-19 era, digital distribution capabilities were strengthened through cyber e-business and online direct transaction activation education.

Also, last year, excellent products were exhibited at the ‘Online Gangsonong Expo,’ and a direct transaction market booth was operated at the Suncheon Local Food Joryeho Lake Park branch, providing opportunities to meet citizens directly and promote and sell agricultural and livestock products, exchanging information with consumers.

The city plans to continuously support local farmers and young start-up farmers to become self-reliant and grow without relying on subsidies by promoting customized education and consulting projects amid the weakening agricultural competitiveness due to aging farm populations, rising management costs, and small-scale farming.

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