Jeongeup-si to Distribute 35.8 Billion KRW in 'Basic Public Interest Direct Payments'

[Jeongeup=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil] Jeongeup City, Jeonbuk Province, will pay 35.8 billion KRW this year as the Basic Public Interest Direct Payment to promote the public functions of agriculture and rural areas and stabilize farmers' income.

According to the city on the 17th, the Basic Public Interest Direct Payment system is designed to induce the creation of public benefits in agriculture and rural areas, such as environmental conservation, rural maintenance, and food safety through agricultural activities.

It was first implemented in 2020 and is now in its third year. It is paid to farmers who meet certain qualifications and comply with the requirements.

This year, the payment will be made about 10 days earlier than last year. After procedures such as account verification by eup, myeon, and dong (township, town, and neighborhood), direct payments are expected to be received as early as next week.

The city received applications from March to May, and after verification of eligible farmland, farmers, and small-scale direct payment requirements, as well as compliance inspections, a total of about 12,900 people who met the qualifications will receive a total of 35.8 billion KRW.

Among them, about 4,000 people (4.7 billion KRW), accounting for 30% of the total, are eligible for the small-scale direct payment, which pays 1.2 million KRW per farm unit regardless of area if certain conditions are met.

Also, about 8,900 people (31.1 billion KRW), accounting for 70%, are eligible for the area-based direct payment, which is paid according to the area.

The city used the integrated verification system established last year to guide applicants not to apply for ineligible farmland from the application stage, preventing the possibility of fraudulent claims in advance.

Even after application and receipt, the city selected inspection targets by linking records of agricultural material purchases and residence information, focusing on verifying actual farming activities to ensure that direct payments are made to farmers who genuinely cultivate crops.

A city official said, “We will strengthen farmer education and publicity, as well as focus on qualification verification and compliance inspections to ensure the smooth progress of the public interest direct payment project. We hope this public interest direct payment will help farmers who are struggling due to labor shortages and abnormal weather conditions, even if only a little.”

Jeongeup=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil baekok@asiae.co.kr