[New Year's Address] Kang Ho-dong, President of NongHyup Central Association, "Laying the Foundation for 30 Million Won Agricultural Income... Focusing on 'Reducing Operating Costs and Improving Productivity'"

Kang Ho-dong, Chairman of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, stated on the 2nd, "We will instill hope in agriculture by enhancing the practical benefits for farmers and lay the foundation for agricultural income of 30 million won."

In his New Year's address, Chairman Kang said, "To ensure that the goal of 30 million won in agricultural income is not just a slogan, we will select key tasks to raise purchase prices, reduce management costs, and improve productivity, and focus our capabilities in each sector."

Kang Ho-dong, President of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation.

To this end, the Federation plans to expand financial support for revitalizing the economic projects of agricultural cooperatives and supporting farming activities up to 16 trillion won, and increase the budget for cooperative projects with local governments to 80 billion won to support the increase of agricultural income.

Additionally, the number of Rural Workforce Brokerage Centers will be increased to 320, and the public seasonal labor program will be expanded to 90 projects to ensure timely supply of farming labor. Considering the reality of rural aging, the Federation will also expand farm work outsourcing projects and increase the number of regional agricultural machinery centers to 30 to enhance the convenience of farmers' agricultural activities.

Along with this, the Federation plans to further advance the support system for the sustainable development of agricultural cooperatives. Chairman Kang emphasized, "We will establish a mid- to long-term development plan for agricultural cooperatives to promote continuous growth, provide customized consulting to 100 agricultural cooperatives annually to support rational decision-making, strengthen the screening functions for corporate loans and joint loans, operate dedicated regional credit management teams, and devote full efforts to delinquency management. At the same time, we will thoroughly monitor management risk factors focusing on soundness and profitability in advance to ensure healthy financial settlements of agricultural cooperatives."

Chairman Kang also expressed unwavering commitment to promoting rice consumption and strengthening the competitiveness of the grain industry. He said, "This year as well, we will actively support the government's policy to reduce rice cultivation areas and continue to promote consumption expansion. I ask all employees for their special interest and participation in expanding the breakfast eating campaign, developing and distributing rice processed products, and creating new demand through exports."