Rep. Eo Kigu Proposes Legislation for the Basic Act on Farmers' Income Security

“We Will Do Our Utmost to Stabilize Farm Income and Strengthen Food Security”

Eokigu Member of the National Assembly. /Office of the Member

On the 13th, National Assembly Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee Chairman Uh Kigoo (The Minjoo Party of Korea, Dangjin-si, Chungnam) announced that he had proposed the "Basic Act on Income Security for Farmers" as the main sponsor.

This newly proposed bill is part of Chairman Uh's campaign pledge during the 22nd general election, known as the "Farmers' Basic Act," and aims to guarantee and strengthen the income and rights of farmers while also securing the country's food security.

Due to population decline and aging in rural areas, agricultural productivity has decreased, which in turn has significantly threatened Korea's food security. As of 2022, Korea's food self-sufficiency rate stood at 49.3%, about half, and the grain self-sufficiency rate was only 22.3%.

In addition, Korea ranked 21st out of 113 countries in the Global Food Security Index in 2012, but dropped to 39th in 2022, recording the lowest among OECD countries. As such, Korea's global food security index lags far behind that of developed countries.

In particular, the annual agricultural income earned from farming has remained in the ten-million-won range for decades, highlighting the need for institutional measures to guarantee the unstable and low income of farmers.

The main points of the bill include: △establishing basic and implementation plans for income security for farmers; △providing basic pensions and safety insurance support for farmers; and △formulating and implementing policies to support employment for farmers.

Chairman Uh Kigoo stated, "Agriculture is a vital industry responsible for the nation's food supply and an essential, irreplaceable sector. We must save and protect agriculture, rural communities, and farmers in crisis," adding, "To protect farmers' right to survival and ensure the sustainability of agriculture, the National Assembly will do its utmost to stabilize farm income and safeguard food security."