Gimhae-si Fully Supports Certification Inspection Fees for Eco-Friendly Agricultural Products

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Gimhae City, Gyeongnam Province will fully cover the certification inspection fees for eco-friendly agricultural products in 2023.

The city announced on the 18th that it will implement a certification inspection fee support project to encourage local farmers' commitment to eco-friendly farming and to increase consumer trust in local agricultural products.

According to the city, eco-friendly agricultural product certification needs to be renewed annually, costing tens of thousands of won per farm each year, which has been a burden for farmers practicing eco-friendly farming.

As of January, the city has a total of 412 farms covering 343 hectares certified for eco-friendly farming, including 72 organic farms covering 70 hectares and 340 pesticide-free farms covering 273 hectares.

An eco-friendly farmer in Gimhae-si, Gyeongnam, is spreading snails in the rice paddy.
[Photo by Gimhae City Hall]

The city has secured a project budget of 120 million won this year and decided to support all fees related to agricultural product inspections and certifications, as well as soil, water quality, and residual pesticide testing fees for farmers practicing eco-friendly farming and farming groups.

Farmers wishing to receive support can submit documents such as a copy of the certification and receipts for inspection fee payments to their local eup/myeon/dong administrative welfare center or the Eco-friendly Farmland Management Team at the Agricultural Technology Center throughout the year.

The fees will be paid monthly after confirming certification status and other details.

The head of the city's Agricultural Policy Division said, “Supporting certification fees will reduce management costs for eco-friendly farmers and serve as an opportunity to further expand eco-friendly farming. We will continue to develop support measures and do our best to implement policies to help increase farm income and expand the production of high-quality eco-friendly agricultural products.”