Goseong-gun and Tongyeong-si Collaborate to Secure Stable Rice Market Channels... Revitalizing Rural Economy

Business Agreement Signed to Promote Rice Distribution

Goseong-gun, Gyeongnam, signed a business agreement with Tongyeong City Hall to revitalize rice distribution with Tongyeong City.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Song Jong-gu] Goseong-gun, Gyeongnam Province signed a business agreement with Tongyeong City Hall to revitalize rice distribution.

The agreement ceremony held on the 6th was attended by Goseong-gun's County Governor Lee Sang-geun, Goseong County Council Chairman Choi Eul-seok, and other county officials, while Tongyeong City was represented by Mayor Cheon Young-gi and city officials.

Recently, rice farmers have been facing many difficulties due to the sharp decline in rice prices and reduced consumption.

In particular, Goseong-gun produces 900,000 bags/40kg (36,000 tons) of rice annually on approximately 5,000 hectares of cultivated land, and considering that many local farmers are rice cultivators, the difficulties are even greater.

At this time, the signing of the business agreement between Goseong-gun and Tongyeong City to secure stable rice sales channels and revitalize the local rural economy holds even greater significance.

Through this business agreement, Goseong-gun and Tongyeong City agreed to actively cooperate in ▲technology and information exchange for rice production and quality improvement ▲collaboration in fostering rice distribution, sales, and processing industries ▲activation and exchange of rice production and distribution organizations ▲development and joint investment in rice production and distribution projects to stabilize rice prices and promote distribution.

In particular, 170 tons (worth 600 million KRW) of eco-friendly rice are consumed in school meals within Tongyeong City, and cooperation will be sought to supply eco-friendly rice produced in Goseong to school meals in Tongyeong, which is expected to expand the sales channels for Goseong's eco-friendly rice in the future.

Additionally, Tongyeong purchases 20,000 rice seedling boxes (worth 70 million KRW) annually produced in Goseong, and both parties agreed to cooperate for continuous purchase and supply.

Mayor Cheon said, “Currently, our agriculture is facing difficulties such as population decline and rising raw material costs. Through continuous administrative and technical support and cooperation between Tongyeong and Goseong, we will do our best to contribute to stable income increases for farmers through the production and distribution of high-quality rice.”

Governor Lee said, “At a time when rice prices have recently fallen causing difficulties, if we strive for technology and information exchange for high-quality rice production, as well as fostering distribution, sales, and processing industries, the rice industry in Goseong and Tongyeong regions will also be sufficiently competitive and develop. Let us work together for the development of agriculture and rural areas.”

Chairman Choi said, “To revitalize rice distribution and strengthen the competitiveness of the rice industry, the county council will also consider support measures together.”