Naju City Accepts Applications for 'Farmer and Fisherman Public Interest Allowance' Until the 10th of Next Month

Published 11 Jan.2022 10:53(KST)

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] On the 11th, Naju City in Jeollanam-do announced that it will accept applications for the 2022 Public Interest Allowance for Farmers and Fishermen until the 10th of next month.

The ‘Public Interest Allowance for Farmers and Fishermen’ is a system introduced by Jeollanam-do and local governments within the province in 2020 to address rural issues such as population decline and aging, promote the public interest functions of agriculture and fisheries, and support sustainable development.

In the first year of the allowance’s introduction in 2020, the city paid KRW 7.959 billion to 13,265 farmers, and last year, KRW 8.139 billion to 13,565 farmers.

Eligible applicants are farmers and fishermen who are heads of farming or fishing households registered in the agricultural and fishery management information system, who have continuously resided in the city and engaged in agriculture or fisheries since before January 1 of last year.

However, those who meet any of the following conditions are excluded from payment: ▲comprehensive income from non-agricultural or fishery sources exceeding KRW 37 million ▲fraudulent receipt of subsidies such as direct payments ▲public officials or employees of public institutions ▲penalties due to violations of the Agricultural Land Act, Mountainous Area Management Act, Livestock Epidemic Prevention Act, or Fisheries Act ▲cases where the head of the household and actual residents have separated households despite living together.

In particular, recipients of welfare benefits such as basic livelihood security must confirm before applying to avoid reduction or loss of their welfare benefits.

After receiving applications, the city plans to verify eligibility through the Public Interest Allowance Committee and pay the full amount of KRW 600,000 in Naju Sarang gift certificates in a lump sum between March and April.

A city official said, “We hope that the public interest allowance will stabilize the livelihoods of farmers who are quietly working to ensure food security and food safety despite the difficult conditions caused by COVID-19, and strengthen the public value of agriculture. We will strive to provide guidance and publicity to ensure no one misses out on the application period, conditions, and benefits.”