Gochang County Launches Jeonbuk-type Public Interest Direct Payment 'Reduction ZERO' Campaign

4-H Association and Agricultural Waste Collection Activities

Gochang County in North Jeolla Province launched the "Jeonbuk-type Public Interest Direct Payment Reduction ZERO Campaign" to ensure compliance with public interest direct payment requirements and minimize reductions.

According to the county on May 22, more than 50 people attended the event held the previous day at the field in Raseong-ri, Haeri-myeon, including Park Junghwan, president of the 4-H Association, its members, the Agricultural Technology Center, Haeri-myeon Office, Agricultural Policy Division, and officials and inspectors from the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service.

Gochang County launched the "Jeonbuk-type Public Interest Direct Payment Reduction ZERO Campaign" to ensure compliance with public interest direct payment requirements and minimize reductions. Photo by Gochang County

This campaign was conducted in conjunction with the 4-H Association’s joint corn cultivation activities, focusing on collecting agricultural waste. Participants carried out various promotional activities, such as producing and distributing promotional fans containing compliance requirements, to raise awareness among farmers about the public interest direct payment system.

To receive public interest direct payments, farmers must faithfully fulfill 17 compliance requirements in five areas, including participating in community activities with village residents to manage household waste, completing education on promoting the public interest in agriculture and rural areas, and adhering to standards for chemical fertilizer use. If these requirements are not met, the total direct payment amount is reduced by 10%.

Park Junghwan, president of the 4-H Association, stated, "It is important for farmers themselves to take the lead in practicing public values," adding, "4-H members will take the initiative in thoroughly fulfilling compliance requirements, such as the proper disposal of agricultural waste, and will actively participate in spreading these practices."

Kim Yongjin, head of the county’s Agricultural Policy Division, said, "Through this campaign, we expect to improve farmers’ understanding of the public interest direct payment compliance requirements and contribute to stabilizing farm income without any reduction in payments," adding, "We will continue to work with the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service and farmers’ organizations to further promote the value of the public interest direct payment system."