Naju-si Selected as 'Best Institution' in Comprehensive Evaluation of Rural Development Projects

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Naju City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Kang In-gyu) announced on the 9th that it was selected as the 'Best Institution' in the 2021 Jeollanam-do Rural Development Project Comprehensive Evaluation, securing a prize money of 5 million KRW and a project fund of 20 million KRW.

The comprehensive evaluation of rural development projects is a system that annually evaluates 115 detailed indicators in three areas: farmer satisfaction, excellent results of pilot projects, and farmer education, for rural development projects in 21 cities and counties within the province.

The city has been striving to revitalize agriculture and rural areas, which have been stagnated due to internal and external factors such as the decrease in agricultural workforce, rural aging, and COVID-19, by fostering young farmers and discovering distinctive policies including establishing a stable farming foundation.

Previously, the city steadily accumulated achievements in various fields, being selected as an excellent institution in regional agricultural specialization in 2018, professional education for farmers in 2019, and capacity building for guidance officials in 2020, culminating in its first selection as the best institution in the comprehensive evaluation of rural development projects this year.

Along with this, six rural guidance officers belonging to the Agricultural Technology Center received overlapping honors through their achievements in each field, winning commendations from the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (3 persons), the Administrator of the Rural Development Administration (2 persons), and the Governor of Jeollanam-do (1 person).

The city is promoting the 'Young Farmer Farming Foundation Establishment' project, which supports ICT and agricultural and livestock product production, processing, distribution, and rural experience and tourism, focusing on nurturing the next-generation farming leaders equipped with a farming foundation.

Targeting young farmers aged 18 to 40 who have been engaged in farming for more than three years, the city carried out activities such as developing the Hanwoo beef processing brand (HouHou), renovating facilities for high-quality Hamigwa melon production, developing processed products, and supporting marketing, receiving great responses.

The pilot project 'Mechanization Project to Reduce Production Costs of Grains' achieved effects such as scaling up production and reducing costs for grains like millet, sorghum, beans, and red beans.

In particular, it was evaluated that precise sowing using a seeder and timely pest control with drones (unmanned aerial pesticide sprayers) reduced the occurrence rate of empty grains, contributing to increasing farmers' harvest yields.

In addition, distinctive policies such as the 'Harmful Bird Capture Trap Operation Support' to ensure stable farming activities for fruit farmers, and the 'Green Curtain Creation' project on the outer walls of facilities including three public institutions such as the Agricultural Technology Center and four park vegetable gardens, which has the effect of reducing wall and indoor temperatures, received favorable reviews.

Lee Jae-seung, Director of the Agricultural Technology Center, said, "Being selected as the best institution in the rural development project evaluation for the first time is the result of all farmers and staff doing their best in mutual communication and cooperation for regional agricultural development," adding, "We will continue to strive to diversify rural development projects and to guide and disseminate advanced agricultural technologies to proactively respond to rapidly changing rural realities such as climate change and aging."

Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong bong2910@asiae.co.kr