Minister Jeong Hwang-geun Meets with Agricultural Organization Leaders: "We Will Communicate Fully"

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Kim Hyewon] Jeong Hwang-geun, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, held a meeting with leaders of major agricultural organizations to share the new government's agricultural policy direction.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on the 2nd, Minister Jeong held a roundtable with agricultural organization leaders at the Press Center in the afternoon to share national tasks in the agriculture and food sector, current status of major agricultural trade initiatives, future plans, and to promote mutual communication. The meeting was attended by 37 leaders of agricultural organizations, including Lee Eun-man, President of the Korea Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives, Lee Hak-gu, President of the Korea Comprehensive Agricultural Organizations Council, Yang Ok-hee, Standing Representative of Nongmin-ui Gil, and Lee Seung-ho, President of the Livestock-related Organizations Council.

In his opening remarks, Minister Jeong stated, "In the rapidly changing industrial environment and international situation, we will boldly innovate areas that need improvement in the existing agricultural structure to ensure that the agriculture and food industry can leap forward as a national key industry and a future growth industry."

More specifically, the plan is to enhance the self-sufficiency rate of wheat and soybeans, foster the rice flour industry, preserve high-quality farmland, and strengthen incentives to establish a stable food supply system.

To respond to changing conditions such as climate environment and food security crises, the ministry plans to expand agricultural direct payments to 5 trillion won by increasing the selective direct payment system, and stabilize farm income by devising measures to stabilize agricultural management, including pension insurance premium support for elderly farmers' old-age life security and strengthening farmland pensions.

Additionally, the ministry will expand investment in agricultural research and development (R&D), promote the integration of advanced convergence technologies, and prepare comprehensive support plans for young farmers from the preparation stage to the growth stage.

Minister Jeong requested the interest and cooperation of agricultural organizations, saying, "I will view the field from the perspective of farmers, communicate closely and sufficiently with the agricultural sector on urgent issues to gain understanding and solve them together."

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