Up to 10 Days of Farming Assistance Support for 16,000 Farms Until Year-End

Support for Farmers Facing Difficulties in Farming Due to COVID-19 Quarantine Treatment

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok]

#In Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, Mr. Oh, a man in his 70s living alone, was diagnosed with COVID-19 after contact with tourists in Jeju around May and underwent isolation treatment. Although he had difficulties during the Hallahyang harvest season from April to August, he was able to harvest Hallahyang on time with the support of agricultural helpers for two weeks.

#A couple in their 70s, Mr. and Mrs. Kim, living in Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do, experienced a fall accident on the rice paddy ridge during the rice planting season at the end of May, but with the help of assistants, they were able to complete the rice planting safely.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 5th that it plans to support helpers for 16,000 farms by the end of the year. Helpers will be supported for up to 10 days per year at a rate of 80,000 KRW per day. Of the labor cost, 30% (24,000 KRW) is paid by the farm, and 70% (56,000 KRW) is supported by the Ministry.

The main targets are farmers cultivating less than 5 hectares of farmland who have been diagnosed with an accident or illness for more than two weeks or hospitalized for more than three days, and those diagnosed with one of the four major severe diseases?cancer, heart, cerebrovascular, or rare incurable diseases?and receiving outpatient treatment. Female farmers who have participated in education organized by the Ministry, local governments, or agricultural cooperatives for more than one day are also eligible. Since last year, farmers confirmed or in contact with first- or second-class legally designated infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and currently in isolation are included as beneficiaries and can receive support for up to 14 days per year.

Farmers wishing to receive support can apply to their local agricultural cooperative by submitting a helper usage application form along with documents such as a diagnosis certificate or hospitalization confirmation. Lee Jae-sik, head of the Rural Social Welfare Division at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "We are concerned that elderly and vulnerable households may face difficulties maintaining basic living due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. Going forward, through expanded support for helpers and the Happiness Sharing program, we plan to eliminate blind spots in farming work and care in rural areas."