Nonggwanwon to Hire 725 Inspectors for Public Interest Direct Payment Implementation Check

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Kim Hyewon] The National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service (NAQS) announced on the 6th that it has early hired a total of 725 investigators (contract workers) in January to ensure the smooth implementation of the public interest direct payment project.

Applicants who are national merit recipients, persons with disabilities, low-income families, and families with multiple children were given preference, and local residents were prioritized for hiring at NAQS branches nationwide (9 locations) and offices (121 locations).

These investigators will begin working simultaneously nationwide from the 7th, undergo specialized training, and then be deployed to support field operations. In the first half of the year, they plan to use aerial photo maps to provide advance guidance to farms on plots suspected of being unsuitable, such as abandoned farmland (폐경, fields not cultivated), to help farmers correctly apply for public interest direct payments. In the second half, they will conduct on-site inspections to check compliance with farmers' obligations, including maintaining farmland shape and function, managing agricultural waste, participating in village community activities, and preparing and storing farming records.

An Yongdeok, head of NAQS, said, "From this year, as the reduction criteria for direct payments increase, including agricultural waste management and participation in village community activities, farmers' compliance obligations are being strengthened." He added, "Through the hired investigators, we will promote farmer education and publicity on related matters and conduct on-site inspections to ensure the stable establishment of the public interest direct payment system."

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