Iksan City Selected as 'Best' in Rural Guidance Project Evaluation by Rural Development Administration

The Iksan Agricultural Technology Center in North Jeolla Province has received the top institution award in the "Comprehensive Evaluation of Rural Guidance Projects" organized by the Rural Development Administration.

According to the city on the 18th, the Rural Development Administration evaluates the overall rural guidance projects of 156 agricultural technology centers nationwide and selects outstanding institutions that have contributed to the development of agriculture and rural communities.

Iksan City received the Best Institution Award on the 18th in the "Comprehensive Evaluation of Rural Guidance Projects" organized by the Rural Development Administration. Photo by Iksan City

The city selected 80 young successor farmers to lead the future of local agriculture, promoting the activation of community networks and facilitating their stable settlement. In addition, support projects such as facility greenhouses and drones have drawn attention by enhancing young farmers' agricultural performance.

In addition to supporting young successor farmers, the center was also recognized for its efforts to stabilize horticultural crop production, increase farmers' income, and improve convenience for agricultural workers.

To ensure stable production in the horticultural sector, the center supported projects such as improving vegetable facility environments, preventing frost damage to apples, and preventing heat damage to ginger, with a budget increased by 11% compared to the previous year. These efforts have enabled farmers to respond to climate change and enhance their competitiveness.

To increase farmers' income, the center promoted the commercialization of rice chips and rice castella through the "Specialty Resource Convergence Technology Support Project," a competitive project organized by the Rural Development Administration. By fostering specialty products using local agricultural products, the center contributed to increasing the added value of agricultural products and boosting non-farming income.

Additionally, the center operated the "Neul Bom School Rural Experience Program" in collaboration with the Office of Education, helping local students understand the value of agriculture and supporting income generation for experience farms.

To improve convenience and reduce labor for farmers, the city operates an agricultural machinery rental center. An additional rental center established in Mangseong-myeon is scheduled for completion in January next year, which is expected to improve accessibility for farmers in the northern region.

Ryu Sookhee, director of the Agricultural Technology Center, said, "This achievement is a valuable result made possible by the continuous efforts and challenges of all our staff," and added, "We will continue to do our best to implement rural guidance projects that respond to the rapidly changing agricultural environment, striving to increase farmers' income and secure competitiveness."