Yongsan-gu Provides Eco-Friendly Agricultural Products to 432 Pregnant Women

Providing Agricultural Produce Packages Worth 480,000 KRW Over 12 Months... Online First-Come, First-Served Registration Until December 15

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yongsan-gu (District Mayor Seongjanghyun) is conducting an eco-friendly agricultural product package support project for pregnant women in the area in collaboration with Seoul City.

This is to support farmers facing difficulties due to the continued decrease in consumption of eco-friendly agricultural products caused by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and to take care of the health of pregnant women.

The support target is pregnant women residing in Yongsan-gu (including foreigners) whose pregnancy or childbirth has been confirmed this year. Those who gave birth in 2019 and whose birth registration date is after January 1 of this year are also eligible. However, those participating in similar projects (Health Center Nutrition Plus Project) as of the application date are not eligible.

The support consists of agricultural product packages worth 480,000 KRW (including 20% personal contribution) over 12 months. On a dedicated online shopping mall, orders can be placed up to twice a month, with each order between 30,000 KRW and 60,000 KRW, for organic agricultural and marine products and organic processed foods.

The application period is from July 6 to December 15. Applications are accepted online (Seoul Farmer Portal), and applicants must submit a resident registration certificate and pregnancy or childbirth verification documents (pregnancy confirmation, maternal handbook, birth certificate). The number of recruits (allocated to Yongsan-gu) is 432, on a first-come, first-served basis.

An official from the district office said, “Mobile phone authentication is required for online applications,” and added, “If you do not have a mobile phone in your name, please visit the Job and Economy Division of the district office to apply.”

The district confirms eligibility based on residence and pregnancy or childbirth status, finalizes the recipients, and sends a guidance text message containing the shopping mall address to the applicants. Afterwards, applicants must sign up as members of the shopping mall and place orders themselves.

Upon joining the shopping mall, a pure support fund of 384,000 KRW, excluding the 20% personal contribution from the total 480,000 KRW, is provided in the form of points, and 80% of the order amount is deducted from the points for each order. However, this year, 240,000 KRW (including 20% personal contribution) for the second half of the year will be paid first, and the remaining 240,000 KRW will be paid next year after the 2021 budget is confirmed. Applicants this year must use up the 240,000 KRW (including 20% personal contribution) by the end of the year, and any remaining balance will not be carried over.

Delivery is made within two days from the time the order is completed. However, there may be some differences depending on product supply conditions.

Support continues even if the recipient moves to another region after being selected. However, the recipient must inform the local government officer of this fact, and any additional delivery costs that may occur depending on the moving area are the responsibility of the recipient.

Seongjanghyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “The eco-friendly agricultural product package support project for pregnant women is a win-win project that provides good food for pregnant women and babies and stable income for farmers,” and added, “We hope for the residents’ active interest and participation.”