Government Begins Identifying 'Fake Farmers'... Nationwide Survey on Farmland Usage Underway

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government will conduct the "2021 Nationwide Farmland Usage Survey" from the 16th to November 30th to verify whether the land is actually farmed and whether farmland is properly owned. This is to identify "fake farmers."

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 15th that it will conduct a comprehensive inspection of the ownership and usage status of a total of 258,000 hectares of farmland, including about 244,000 hectares of farmland acquired by non-local residents through inheritance or purchase within the last 10 years and 13,494 hectares owned by agricultural corporations, which will be surveyed for the first time.

For agricultural corporations, the investigation will focus on whether they are actually engaged in agricultural management, as well as compliance with farmland ownership requirements such as the proportion of agricultural operators with executive authority and investment limits by farmers.

Additionally, unauthorized fallow land, illegal leases, and recent violations of the Farmland Act involving farm sheds and embankments will be investigated and monitored simultaneously.

Farm sheds are facilities installed for storing agricultural materials and machinery directly needed for farming, simple processing of harvested crops, and temporary rest during farm work. They must have a total floor area of 20㎡ or less and cannot be used for residential purposes.

Embankments must not harm the agricultural management of nearby farmland and must use soil suitable for agriculture.

If violations of the Farmland Act are found as a result of the survey, administrative measures such as imposing farmland disposal obligations and legal actions will be taken.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will conduct a full survey of 6,067 agricultural facilities equipped with solar power installations in cooperation with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, local governments, and the Korea Energy Agency.

If facilities such as livestock barns, mushroom cultivation houses, and insect breeding houses are not used for agricultural management purposes, farmland disposal or restoration orders and legal actions will be taken, and the issuance of Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) will be suspended.

An official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated, "We have decided to conduct a full survey of farmland owned by non-local residents and agricultural corporations, which have been frequently pointed out for violations of the Farmland Act," and emphasized, "We will continue to strengthen and promote farmland usage surveys to establish order under the Farmland Act, ensuring farmland does not become a target for speculation."

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