21 young farmers from 5 sectors gather in Naju to discuss agricultural policy
Participants call for improved farmer allowance criteria, expanded interest subsidy program
South Jeolla Province held a candid policy forum with young farmers at a cafe in Naju, gathering input on agricultural policy and discussing the future direction of farming ahead of the planned launch of the Jeonnam-Gwangju integrated special city, the provincial government announced Sunday.
The forum brought together 21 young farmers from five sectors — grain crops, vegetables, livestock, fruit trees and sixth-industry agriculture — for an in-depth discussion on farming policy.
The event featured presentations on support programs for young farmers and the sharing of success stories, followed by open discussion on the difficulties young farmers face during the settlement process and ideas for improving policies they consider unreasonable.
Two farmers shared their experiences during the best-practice segment: Yu Ji-hee, a young farmer growing cherry tomatoes in Goheung, and Yun Ji-hwan, head of the Atta Dalda retail corporation in Muan. Each spoke about the challenges, setbacks and growth they encountered while establishing themselves.
Yu, who relocated from outside the farming sector, described how she settled in Goheung after receiving startup funding through the young farmer development program in 2019. "The young farmer settlement programs run by the central government and South Jeolla Province were a great help," she said. "I want to play a role in the community so that young farmers can thrive together."
Yun recounted his path from completing training at the Gimje Smart Farm Innovation Valley in 2019 to setting up a smart farm in Muan and developing the Atta Dalda brand, detailing the trial and error involved along the way.
"South Jeolla Province lacks infrastructure such as cultural facilities compared with the Greater Seoul area, but it has abundant resources for creating added value," Yun said. "I feel proud and fulfilled every time I harvest tomatoes. Going forward, I want to establish an agricultural corporation and expand into food processing."
Participants raised a range of policy concerns and proposals, including tailored farm equipment support for young farmers, expanding eligibility for the farmer allowance from household operators to individual farmers, and broadening the South Jeolla-style interest subsidy program.
The provincial government said it will review practical support measures based on the feedback collected at the forum and plans to relay proposals requiring regulatory changes to the central government.
"Young farmers are the future of South Jeolla's agriculture and the key to overcoming the threat of regional depopulation," a provincial official said. "We will expand field-centered communication to ensure that young farmers' voices translate into real policy, including throughout the process of launching the integrated special city."
kkm9971@heraldcorp.com
