Gangjin-gun Receives 'Excellence Award' in 2021 Agricultural Food Distribution Performance Evaluation

Major Achievements of Gangjin County Blooming Hope Amid the COVID-19 Crisis ⓒ Asia Economy

[Gangjin＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-su] Gangjin County, Jeollanam-do received the 'Grand Prize' in the 2021 Jeollanam-do Agricultural Products Distribution Evaluation.

According to the county on the 22nd, the agricultural and food distribution evaluation is conducted by Jeollanam-do targeting 21 cities and counties excluding Mokpo City. It comprehensively evaluates 14 items in 4 areas including activation of online and offline distribution of agricultural specialties, establishment of agricultural and food industry infrastructure and quality control, rice sales and brand rice development, and strengthening competitiveness in production area distribution, and awards cities and counties with excellent performance.

Gangjin County received high scores across all areas of agricultural and food distribution work, achieving a double crown following the agricultural policy evaluation award with this prize.

This achievement is regarded as the result of focusing administrative capabilities on activating direct transaction sales centered on distribution to increase farm income, a core pledge of the 7th local government.

In particular, it successfully established a systematic database of about 180,000 customers purchasing agricultural specialties by region and type, laying the foundation for lifelong customer retention. The established customer database is utilized to send letters and promotional materials for agricultural specialties during holidays and the new rice season.

Additionally, as consumption trends rapidly shifted from offline to online due to prolonged COVID-19 social distancing and reduced mobility, the county secured a stable distribution network by expanding the entry of the online shopping mall 'Chorok Mideum Direct Transaction Support Center' operated by the county and 'Namdo Market' operated by Jeollanam-do.

At the local food direct store installed at Gangjin Nonghyup Farmers Market, which has the highest number of agricultural specialty product customers in the area, 393 farmers shipped 660 items as of mid-December, and the county expects total sales to exceed 3.5 billion KRW this year.

Furthermore, efforts are underway to supply public meals in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, promoting urban-rural coexistence.

Through active promotional marketing, the county achieved a total direct transaction sales target of 35 billion KRW for agricultural specialties this year, representing a 42% increase compared to 24.7 billion KRW in December last year.

Song Seung-eon, head of the Eco-friendly Agriculture Division, said, "Gangjin County's award in the distribution evaluation following the agricultural policy evaluation was the result of active marketing activities for agricultural specialties carried out together by Gangjin County and farmers." He added, "Although it is a difficult time for everyone due to COVID-19, we will do our best to proactively respond to changes in the distribution environment and increase farmers' actual income by utilizing both online and offline channels."

Meanwhile, the award ceremony will be held on the 28th at the Wangin Room of Jeonnam Provincial Office.

Gangjin=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-su kys86120@asiae.co.kr

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