Jeong Hwang-geun: "We Will Prioritize Farmers in Policy Implementation"

Communication Meeting with Agricultural Organization Leaders

Jeong Hwang-geun, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated on the 17th, "We will prioritize farmers in our policy implementation."

On the same day, Minister Jeong held a communication meeting with heads of farmers' organizations at the Korea Press Center in Seoul and made this remark.

The meeting was attended by 26 heads of farmers' organizations, including Lee Hak-gu, Chairman of the Korea Federation of Agricultural Organizations, Lee Seung-ho, Chairman of the Livestock-related Organizations Council, Park Dae-jo, Chairman of the Korea Rural Leaders Central Association, and Kim Sam-ju, Chairman of the Korean Beef Association.

Jeong Hwang-geun, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Minister Jeong explained the policies the government has been pursuing, saying, "Since the launch of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, we have focused on stabilizing farmers' management under difficult conditions and laying the foundation for the future industrialization of agriculture."

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is undertaking a major organizational restructuring by establishing dedicated organizations for youth farmers, smart farms, green bio, food tech, and animal welfare, based on two pillars: food security and agricultural innovation. Additionally, this year's budget has exceeded 17 trillion won for the first time, securing 17.3574 trillion won, an increase of 480.7 billion won compared to the previous year.

Last October, to stabilize rice prices, the ministry announced a measure to isolate a record-high volume of 900,000 tons of rice from the market during the harvest season. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, rice prices in production areas rebounded by 16.7% immediately after the announcement of the isolation measure and have maintained stability since then.

To ensure stable farm management, 480 billion won, which is 80% of the increase in fertilizer prices, and 1.5 trillion won for feed purchase funds were provided as low-interest loans at 1%. Additionally, 15.1 billion won in contingency funds have been secured to alleviate heating costs for facility farms. Furthermore, measures to foster youth farmers, the future leaders, and smart agriculture have been prepared, and the 'Rural Spatial Planning Act,' which radically changes the planning and support system for rural areas to respond to regional extinction and indiscriminate development, has passed the National Assembly.

Minister Jeong said, "While focusing on urgent issues such as securing food security and stabilizing farm management, we will steadfastly pursue policies for a leap toward the future with the belief that 'crisis is opportunity.' We will do our best to ensure that our agriculture becomes a beloved national industry for the people."

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