[2022 National Audit] Jeong Hwang-geun "Introduction of Strategic Crop Direct Payment System to Increase Production of Powdered Rice, Wheat, and Soybeans and Reduce Cultivation of Table Rice"

National Assembly Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock, Food, and Maritime Affairs Committee, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Audit

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Kim Hyewon] Jeong Hwang-geun, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated on the 4th, "In the mid to long term, we will introduce a strategic crop direct payment system to ensure a balanced supply and demand of rice, reduce the cultivation area of table rice, and simultaneously expand the production of powdered rice, wheat, and soybeans, which have high domestic demand."

Minister Jeong said in his opening remarks at the National Assembly's Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee's audit of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, "We will secure food sovereignty and strengthen farmers' income and management safety nets."

He emphasized, "To resolve the low food self-sufficiency rate issue, we will build a domestic self-sufficiency base through revitalizing the powdered rice industry and establishing specialized production complexes for wheat and soybeans, while enhancing the effectiveness of food security policies through institutional improvements such as the strategic crop direct payment system."

He also explained, "We have amended the Public Interest Direct Payment Act to eliminate blind spots in the basic direct payment system, and are preparing a roadmap to expand and reform the direct payment system to increase agricultural direct payments by 5 trillion won. To alleviate farmers' burdens caused by rising raw material prices, we are expanding support for fertilizer and feed purchases and increasing domestic labor brokerage and foreign labor supply."

Regarding the national task of nurturing 30,000 young farmers, Minister Jeong introduced, "We are expanding settlement support funds, customized farmland supply, and financial support to help young people boldly challenge entrepreneurship. We are also expanding infrastructure such as youth rural housing and rural-type living SOC complex centers to ensure that services provided in rural areas, including housing, care, education, and culture, meet the expectations of the younger generation."

On smart agriculture policies, he said, "We are utilizing the Youth Startup Incubation Centers, rental farms, and demonstration complexes in the Smart Farm Innovation Valleys established in Sangju, Gimje, Miryang, and Goheung as forward bases for smart agriculture. We are also promoting the digital transformation of the entire agricultural product distribution process from production areas to consumption areas through the establishment of a smart APC standard model, online marketplaces, and the introduction of electronic delivery notes at Garak Market."

Furthermore, he mentioned, "Through the rural specialized zoning system, we are preventing indiscriminate development in rural areas and promoting the institutionalization of rural spatial planning so that rural areas can be regenerated as balanced living, working, and resting spaces centered around about 400 living zones with jobs, housing, and social services." The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is also fully revising the Animal Protection Act to strengthen penalties for animal abuse and prevent biting accidents, while expanding infrastructure such as animal protection centers.

Minister Jeong stated, "To prevent the spread of African swine fever and highly pathogenic avian influenza, we have designated the period from October this year to February next year as a special quarantine period, strengthening surveillance and management of wild birds and intensively managing high-risk and large-scale farms through precise selection."

Regarding improvements to the dairy system, he said, "In September, the Dairy Promotion Association's board unanimously approved a reform plan including the introduction of a differentiated pricing system by usage. We will promptly proceed with institutional reforms and follow-up procedures according to the reform plan and prepare mid- to long-term industrial development plans for sustainable dairy industry growth."

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