Worker Accommodations and Heatwave/Cold Wave Shelters Now Allowed in Agricultural Promotion Areas

Worker accommodations and shelters for heatwaves and cold waves
now permitted in Agricultural Promotion Areas
Approval authority for farmland conversion in Rural Specialized Districts
delegated to local governments
Requirements for collective farmland utilization project eased

From now on, it will be possible to install worker accommodations and heatwave and cold wave shelters even in Agricultural Promotion Areas. This measure aims to increase the utilization of farmland.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on May 28 that it will revise subordinate regulations under the Farmland Act to promote the efficient use of farmland and revitalize rural areas, with the changes taking effect from June 2.

An official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs explained, "This revision of the subordinate regulations under the Farmland Act reflects the ongoing demands from the field for regulatory improvements," adding, "The main changes include expanding the scope and area of permitted facilities within Agricultural Promotion Areas, and delegating the authority to approve farmland conversion in Rural Specialized Districts to local governments."

First, the criteria for permitted facilities within Agricultural Promotion Areas will be eased. Worker accommodations and heatwave and cold wave shelters, which previously could not be installed in these areas, will now be allowed. In addition, restrictions on the area of agricultural and fishery product processing and handling facilities will also be relaxed.

Last July, the Ministry improved the system to allow farmhouses in Agricultural Promotion Areas to be used as worker accommodations. Building on this, it will now be possible to install worker accommodations for employees within the sites of agricultural and fishery product processing and handling facilities or distribution centers. Furthermore, to ensure the safety of farmers during their agricultural activities, the ministry has allowed the installation of heatwave and cold wave shelters by the state and local governments in Agricultural Promotion Areas.

Restrictions on the area for agricultural and fishery product processing and handling facilities, as well as for tourism farms and rural experience and recreation villages, will also be eased. Agricultural and fishery product processing and handling facilities and tourism farms can now be established on sites of less than 3 hectares, while rural experience and recreation villages can be established on sites of less than 2 hectares.

The authority to approve farmland conversion in Rural Specialized Districts will be delegated to local governments. To help prevent population decline and promote regional revitalization, Rural Specialized Districts have been added to the areas where the authority to approve farmland conversion is delegated. Once designated as a Rural Specialized District in consultation with the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the head of the local government will have full authority to approve farmland conversion in that district, regardless of the area involved. The ministry expects that this will facilitate region-specific development and minimize inconvenience for applicants by shortening the processing period for farmland conversion approvals.

The requirements for implementing the Farmland Utilization Enhancement Project will also be relaxed. To promote the scaling up of agricultural management, the requirements for this project?which allows exceptions for farmland lease and entrusted management?will be eased. Previously, a group of at least 10 farmers or agricultural corporations was required to participate in the project. Going forward, participation will be possible with at least 5 farmers or agricultural corporations, or even by a single agricultural corporation. The ministry expects that relaxing these requirements will improve the efficiency of agricultural management through collective farmland utilization and cost reduction.

Yoon Wonsup, Director General for Agricultural Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "This revision aims to enhance the rationality and productivity of farmland use, and to improve the quality of life for farmers while boosting regional vitality." He added, "We will continue to gather diverse opinions from the public and experts to further improve the system."