Sunchang County to Support Rice Farming Work Agency Fees for Elderly Small-Scale Farmers

Solving Labor Shortages and Stabilizing Farmers' Management

Sunchang County in North Jeolla Province is actively launching a rice farming work agency fee support project targeting elderly small-scale farmers, aiming to address the labor shortage caused by the aging rural population and to stabilize the management of farmers.

Sunchang County is actively promoting a rice farming work agency fee support project targeting elderly small-scale farmers. Photo by Sunchang County

According to the county on July 8, this support project is one of the core initiatives of Sunchang County's "profitable agriculture" policy. It was designed to reduce the financial burden on farmers who, due to aging, find it difficult to carry out farm work themselves.

In particular, rice farming requires significant physical strength and technical skills from transplanting to harvesting, making professional farm work agency services essential for elderly farmers.

The support is available to farmers who are at least 70 years old as of January 1, 2025, have their resident registration in Sunchang County, and have lived there for at least 12 months. However, those whose annual non-agricultural income exceeds 37 million won or who are not registered as an agricultural management entity are excluded from eligibility.

The support targets farms with a rice cultivation area of at least 1,000 square meters and up to 5,000 square meters. A subsidy of 115 won per square meter will be provided, with a maximum support amount of up to 575,000 won. This covers a significant portion of the actual farm work agency costs and is expected to provide tangible help in reducing management expenses for farm households.

Last year, the county implemented the same project, providing a total of 133 million won to 472 households. Participating farmers responded positively, noting that their financial burden was substantially reduced.

Applications can be submitted at the local Eup or Myeon Administrative Welfare Centers until August 8. Applicants must prepare and submit the application form along with the agricultural management entity registration certificate, income statement, and resident registration certificate.

County Governor Choi Youngil stated, "This project is the result of actively reflecting the voices of farmers, which I heard firsthand in the field, in our policies. We will continue to develop customized support measures that provide real help to each and every farmer, creating a rural community where everyone can be happy."

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