Gubokgyu, Hwasun County Governor, Listens to Challenges of Neungju Cherry Tomato Farmers

Published 19 Jul.2022 15:42(KST)

[Hwasun=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Ji-woon] On the 18th, Gu Bok-gyu, the governor of Hwasun County, held a 'Sarangbang Roundtable' at Neungju Nonghyup with about 20 member farmers of the Neungju Cherry Tomato Joint Sorting Association (representative Yang I-won) in attendance.

According to the county on the 19th, Governor Gu shared the current status and future plans of the Neungju cherry tomato joint sorting association and had a communication session to listen to the difficulties of farmers in a free atmosphere.

Association member Jeong Won-gi expressed concerns about the environment of the Neungju sorting center, and Yang I-won, the head of the joint sorting association, requested support from the county, saying, "The rising prices have made fertilizer costs burdensome for farmers."

Governor Gu said, "I recognize the need to improve the environment of the Neungju joint sorting center and will consider ways to reduce the burden on farmers caused by rising material costs due to inflation," adding, "As the online market grows, we will expand farmers' online distribution channels through systematic operation of Hwasun County's shopping mall 'Hwasun Farm.'"

Governor Gu plans to hold the Sarangbang roundtable at least twice a month starting this month.

The purpose of the roundtable is to listen to residents' daily inconveniences and difficulties in a natural atmosphere without formalities or procedures and to discover customized policies.

The Neungju Cherry Tomato Joint Sorting Association has steadily grown since 2017, with 16 members shipping 3.8 billion KRW worth of products last year, and established the Neungju Tomato Joint Sorting Agricultural Cooperative Corporation (representative Yang I-won) in May, which is currently operating.