Suncheon-si, One Step Closer to a Better Rural Life Through Mechanization Promotion

Resolving Rural Labor Shortages Through Agricultural Machinery Rental Services and Support Projects

[Suncheon=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Heo Seok) announced on the 7th that it will expand its agricultural machinery projects to address the increasingly severe labor shortage in rural areas caused by aging and feminization of the farming population.

Last year, the city secured a total project budget of 1.3 billion KRW, including 600 million KRW in national funds, and is working to establish the ‘Western Region Agricultural Machinery Rental Center’ in Hwajeon-ri, Oeseo-myeon, aiming to open it in March this year.

This will improve access to agricultural machinery for residents of Oeseo, Nagan, and Songgwang-myeon, who had previously used the Northern Rental Center located in Seungju-eup and the Southern Rental Center located in Deogwol-dong.

Thanks to the strong response from farmers to the agricultural machinery rental service, the 3,261 cases of machinery rental and 317 transportation service provisions recorded last year are expected to continue increasing.

Additionally, during peak farming seasons from March to May and in October and November, farmers are provided the convenience of renting agricultural machinery on Saturdays. To reduce the economic burden on farmers due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the 50% discount on agricultural machinery rental fees, which began in April last year, will be extended until June this year.

Suncheon City will also expand support for small-sized agricultural machinery that is easy for elderly and female farmers to operate.

To improve the working environment for elderly and female farmers, 830 million KRW will be provided to 666 households for the purchase of multipurpose small agricultural machinery, and 300 million KRW to 80 households for the purchase of women-friendly multipurpose electric carriers. In addition, support will be provided for lighting devices to prevent tiller rear-end collisions, dump transport equipment, and various other agricultural machinery purchases, along with early retirement support for outdated agricultural machinery.

Practical training courses on safe agricultural machinery use are also being operated.

Three times a year, practical training on proper agricultural machinery use and minor maintenance is provided to about 100 people.

This helps improve the work efficiency of farmers inexperienced with agricultural machinery and aids in preventing safety accidents.

Furthermore, to compensate for physical and property damages to farmers caused by agricultural machinery accidents, 80% of comprehensive insurance premiums are supported.

With a budget of 100 million KRW this year, support will be provided for about 650 units.

A representative from the Suncheon Agricultural Technology Center said, “We will continue to expand agricultural machinery-related projects to help resolve the labor shortage in rural areas,” adding, “We aim to increase agricultural income through safe, convenient, and efficient farming operations and to create a better rural living environment.”

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