Gyeongnam Province Focuses on Stabilizing Prices of Agricultural Supplies, Tax-Free Fuel, and Rice

Jeong Yeonsang, Director of the Agricultural Policy Bureau of Gyeongnam Province, is giving a briefing on agricultural support policies.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Se-ryeong] Gyeongsangnam-do is strengthening agricultural support to reduce the management burden on farms.

On the 3rd, Gyeongnam Province announced that the prices of agricultural materials have risen sharply due to the aftermath of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, increasing the burden on farms.

Accordingly, it plans to allocate 49.9 billion KRW in the 2nd supplementary budget to support 80% of the price increase for 86,000 tons of mineral fertilizers.

It will also invest 7.5 billion KRW in organic fertilizers such as livestock manure compost for 100,000 tons, supporting 1,500 KRW per bag through its own projects.

Regarding duty-free fuel not related to the fuel tax reduction policy, the purchase cost of agricultural duty-free fuel will be reflected in the 3rd supplementary budget.

The province reported that it has isolated 370,000 tons of 2021 rice from the market in preparation for the decrease in rice consumption, the plunge in rice prices, and the release of newly harvested rice during the harvest season.

Jung Yeon-sang, Director of Agricultural Policy, explained, “The demand for 2021 rice was 3.61 million tons, and supply was 3.88 million tons, resulting in oversupply, but rice consumption per capita has gradually decreased to 57 kg as of last year,” adding, “The rice price as of July 25 was 43,918 KRW for 20 kg of polished rice, down 16.7% compared to the end of the previous year.”

Gyeongnam Province plans to expand the cultivation of non-rice crops and increase the support fund for rice farming households’ management stabilization from 20 billion KRW last year to 22.5 billion KRW this year.

It also plans to create 1,400 hectares of high-quality rice production complexes, support the development of excellent brand rice, and promote modernization of rice processing facilities.

For garlic and onions, which experience sharp price fluctuations every year, the province will expand contract farming participation and strengthen supply-demand control by expanding storage facilities to prepare for short-term supply changes.

For major local vegetables such as green chili peppers and perilla leaves, the agricultural product supply-demand stabilization support project is being implemented to focus on price maintenance.

To reduce the burden of rising feed costs due to international grain price increases, the province plans to actively reflect policies that it can support among farmers’ proposed projects, such as improving milking facilities equipment, adjusting support rates for livestock manure treatment and dairy farming assistants, and expanding superior dairy cattle improvement projects.

To resolve rural labor shortages, a public labor support system will be established.

To secure domestic labor, the number of Rural Labor Brokerage Centers operating in the province will increase from 18 this year by adding 3 to 4 centers by 2026.

Operating expenses per center will be increased to enable labor brokerage services 365 days a year.

Urban area farming work teams and agricultural machinery work teams will be expanded, and a university student rural labor support group will also be operated.

In the second half of this year, about 1,000 foreign seasonal workers in the agricultural sector will be introduced in 10 cities and counties, including Jinju, Gimhae, Miryang, Hadong, Sancheong, and Hapcheon.

4.2 billion KRW has been secured in this year’s 2nd supplementary budget to support industrial accident insurance enrollment, COVID-19 quarantine costs, transportation expenses, and more related to the introduction.

The province plans to expand the rural women farmers’ voucher program by increasing the eligible age from 70 to 75 starting next year and is also considering raising the current annual payment from 130,000 KRW to about 150,000 KRW.

A provincial official said, “We will listen carefully to the voices from the field and carry out meticulous administration,” adding, “We will do our best for a returning rural area and agriculture with a future.”

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