Gangjin-gun Allocates 79.7 Billion Won with 22% Increase in Agricultural Budget

Budgeting After Reviewing Labor Cost Increase and Inflation Rate

Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Kang Jin-won) has allocated a 2023 agricultural policy budget of 79.7 billion KRW, a 22% increase from the previous year's 61.8 billion KRW, to support farmers facing difficulties due to falling rice prices and rising agricultural material costs.

On the 26th, the county stated that the increased budget was carefully reviewed considering rising labor costs and inflation rates to ensure it would practically benefit farmers.

(Center) Gang Jin-won, the county governor, is visiting the seedling nursery site to listen to the opinions of farmers. [Photo by Gangjin County]

First, 8.3 billion KRW was allocated to the horticulture and specialty crops sector, which requires continuous and long-term facility investment and labor input, reflecting an increase of 3.3 billion KRW compared to last year.

Notably, unlike previous years, the long-term film support area limit was abolished, and through general film support, the introduction of new smart farm support projects for facility horticulture, and increased support rates, the initial facility investment burden for horticultural farmers was significantly eased.

The 'Village Joint Meal Support Project during the Farming Season' will also see expanded support from 2.94 million KRW per site last year to 3.204 million KRW.

This essential budget aims to reduce the household burden of women farmers and alleviate labor shortages, supporting a total of 80 sites across Gangjin.

Additionally, the Women Farmers and Fishermen Happiness Voucher Support Project, which previously provided 200,000 KRW to female farmers and fishermen aged 20 to 75, will be expanded with county funds to provide 100,000 KRW to women aged 76 to 85, effectively covering all age groups.

To reduce the burden of rice farming costs and secure income, a budget of 54.4 billion KRW was allocated for food crops, an increase of 8.49 billion KRW compared to the previous year. Support has been completed for about 6,400 farms with 8.1 billion KRW in rice management stabilization funds and 1.41 billion KRW in rice seedling cost support coupons, and 5.14 billion KRW in public interest allowances was provided to 8,578 farms.

Support for essential agricultural machinery has also been generously increased. The budget for agricultural machinery support projects, including 26 drones and 11 agricultural excavators, was set at 1.95 billion KRW, an increase of 500 million KRW from the previous year, along with adjustments to support for small, medium, and large agricultural machinery to address labor shortages.

Furthermore, 125 million KRW was allocated for the paddy field crop cultivation support project to foster alternative income crops to rice, aiming to improve food self-sufficiency and stabilize rice supply and demand.

For eco-friendly farming, support for organic rice was increased from 300,000 KRW to 400,000 KRW per hectare, and support for eco-friendly agricultural materials is actively promoted to encourage organic farming.

To revitalize direct sales of locally produced agricultural products, the limit on delivery fee support was more than doubled, and budgets for packaging materials and promotional support were also increased.

Projects to enhance the competitiveness of food companies and increase farmers' income by developing and processing agricultural and specialty products to add value will also be promoted.

Securing 632 million KRW in project funds, the county plans to industrialize local resources such as rice barley into rural convergence industries, fostering them as representative local specialties, creating jobs, and revitalizing the local economy.

Additionally, 781 million KRW will be invested to promote the consumption of local agricultural products and improve the dietary life and quality of life for low-income groups.

Meanwhile, Governor Kang Jin-won visited a communal seedling nursery of local farms on the 26th to listen to the voices from the agricultural field and reflect them in policies.

After hearing the difficulties of farmers, Governor Kang said, "This year's agricultural budget was organized as support measures that farmers can directly feel," adding, "We will continue to discover and implement various policies so that farmers can focus on farming without worries and have their income guaranteed."

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