Ministry of Agriculture Selected Most for Powdered Rice Production Complex Projects Nationwide
Jeonnam Province has laid the groundwork to reduce dependence on wheat imports and address the issue of rice oversupply.
On the 11th, the province announced that it secured the largest project funding nationwide for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' 2024 Powdered Rice Production Complex project.
Powdered rice (bun-jil-mi) is rice that, unlike regular rice, can be ground directly into powder like wheat without soaking in water. It is suitable as a wheat flour substitute and advantageous for double cropping since it can be planted late (end of June).
In this powdered rice production complex project competition, Jeonnam was selected for 45 sites out of 106 nationwide, the highest number in the country. Among these, all 45 sites will receive education and consulting support, and 9 sites will receive both education, consulting, and facility and equipment support.
This success is analyzed to be due to Jeonnam Province's preparation for the Ministry of Agriculture's evaluation by conducting its own preliminary announcement evaluation and consulting to supplement business plans for each management entity and preparing anticipated Q&A to prepare for the central-level evaluation.
As a result, out of the total project cost of 12.5 billion KRW, Jeonnam secured 5.2 billion KRW (41%), the largest nationwide, receiving 2.6 billion KRW in national funding. The project will be promoted with an investment of 2.1 billion KRW in local funds and 0.5 billion KRW in self-funding.
The powdered rice cultivation area in 2024 is 3,372 hectares. Currently, it is the largest nationwide, and production will be systematically managed from seed supply to harvest according to the powdered rice production and management manual for each complex.
Kang Hyo-seok, Director of the Agriculture and Livestock Food Bureau of Jeonnam Province, said, “Since the government purchases the entire production of powdered rice, the sales channels are stable, and it will be effective in improving food self-sufficiency and stabilizing rice supply by substituting imported wheat.” He added, “We will establish a stable production system through education on cultivation techniques for farmers regarding powdered rice cultivation methods.”
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to expand powdered rice cultivation to 10,000 hectares in 2024 and 42,000 hectares by 2026. Starting in 2025, if the government budget is approved, the strategic crop direct payment rate for powdered rice will be increased by 1 million KRW per hectare to 2 million KRW per hectare.
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