This Year's Public Service Direct Payment Applications Open Next Month... Payments Start in November

Non-face-to-face Simple Application Target Expanded Significantly from 510,000 to 970,000

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 22nd that the application and reception for the 2024 Basic Public Interest Direct Payment (hereinafter referred to as Public Interest Direct Payment) will be conducted from April 1 to April 30.

The Basic Public Interest Direct Payment system is a program that provides direct payments to farmers who meet certain qualifications and comply with requirements to promote the public functions of agriculture and rural areas and stabilize farmers' incomes.

Farmers who wish to receive the Basic Public Interest Direct Payment must apply either through a non-face-to-face simple application or by visiting their local eup, myeon, or dong office every year. This year, to enhance convenience for farmers, the target for non-face-to-face simple applications will be significantly expanded from 510,000 last year to 970,000.

Farmers whose Public Interest Direct Payment registration information from last year and agricultural management entity registration information for this year have not changed can apply through the non-face-to-face simple application from April 1 to 29. These farmers will be pre-notified via smartphone. Farmers who are unable to apply non-face-to-face can visit their eup, myeon, or dong office to apply from March 4 to April 30.

This year, the payment rate for the Small-scale Farmer Direct Payment will be increased from 1.2 million KRW to 1.3 million KRW per household. It is paid to small-scale farms that meet conditions based on farmland area, farming period, and comprehensive income outside agriculture among the Basic Public Interest Direct Payment recipients. When applying for the direct payment, applicants should inquire with the person in charge at their local eup, myeon, or dong office to confirm eligibility for the Small-scale Farmer Direct Payment and apply accordingly.

Once the direct payment registration application is completed, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will verify eligibility by linking various administrative information for applicants, conduct special on-site inspections (from May to September) to check compliance with 17 farmer obligations such as proper management of agricultural waste, preparation and storage of farming diaries, participation in village community activities, and completion of education, as well as verification of actual farming. After these procedures, the recipients and payment amounts will be finalized in October, and direct payments will be made to farmers starting in November.

Kwon Jae-han, Director of Agricultural Innovation Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "We urge farmers to fully understand the eligibility requirements, compliance obligations, and precautions for receiving the Public Interest Direct Payment and to apply accordingly." He added, "We will improve the direct payment management system and policies to ensure that payments are not made wastefully."