Hongseong County Raises Eco-friendly Agriculture Direct Payment for First Time in 7 Years

Applications accepted until April 30...
Maximum eligible area expanded to 30 hectares

Hongseong County Office

Hongseong County in South Chungcheong Province announced that, for the first time in seven years, it will increase the direct payment for eco-friendly agriculture this year and expand the maximum eligible area, in order to foster eco-friendly farming and boost farmers' incomes.

The county plans to increase the direct payment for eco-friendly agriculture for the first time in seven years, aiming to revitalize eco-friendly farming and enhance the public value of agriculture by compensating for the initial income reduction and production cost differences experienced by eco-friendly farmers. Applications will be accepted until April 30, and payments will be made accordingly.

Additionally, to continue the legacy of eco-friendly agriculture, the county will significantly expand the maximum eligible area per farm from the previous 5 hectares to 30 hectares for the first time in seven years.

Support will be provided to farmers, foresters, and corporations who have registered their agricultural management information, obtained eco-friendly certification, maintained their certification throughout the direct payment project period (from November of the previous year to October of the current year), and received a compliance notification as a result of inspections by local governments and certification agencies conducted from the end of May to October.

For newly certified plots that obtained certification after November 1 of the previous year (the start date of the project period), payment is possible if a valid certificate is submitted by May 10. New certification fees will be paid if submitted by October 31.

Jang Ijin, Director of Agricultural Policy, said, "We hope that the increase in direct payment rates and the expansion of the eligible area will help promote eco-friendly agriculture," and added, "Since this project helps to preserve farm incomes, we encourage many eco-friendly farmers to apply."

Meanwhile, the eco-friendly agriculture direct payment is provided in proportion to the cultivated area, according to certification stage (organic or pesticide-free), crop group (rice or field crops), and payment unit price.