Uiseong County Opens the Way for Youth Committed to a Lifetime in Agriculture

Annual 1.5% Interest Rate, 20-Year Repayment
Kickstarting a Generational Shift in Agricultural Policy with Next-Generation Managers

Uiseong County has officially launched efforts to foster the next generation of talent responsible for the sustainability of agriculture.

Uiseong County Office

On January 7, Uiseong County announced that it is now accepting applications for the 2026 Next-Generation Agricultural Manager Development Program.

The application period runs from January 5 to February 11, and submissions are accepted online through the Agricultural e-Knowledge platform.

The Next-Generation Agricultural Manager Development Program is a core agricultural policy initiative that selects promising prospective and young farmers, providing them with support for stable settlement in farming and establishing a long-term management foundation.

Selected applicants will be eligible for policy loans of up to 500 million won, featuring highly favorable terms: a fixed interest rate of 1.5%, a five-year grace period, and equal principal repayments over 20 years.

This funding can be used for a wide range of purposes, including land acquisition, facility installation, and securing agricultural machinery, thereby substantially reducing the financial burden and entry barriers that new farmers most commonly face.

Eligible applicants are those under the age of 50 with less than 10 years of independent farming experience, or prospective farmers who wish to start farming. Applicants must be graduates of agricultural schools or have completed relevant agricultural education. Final selection will be based on a comprehensive evaluation of age, farming experience, and the feasibility and growth potential of their farming plans.

Kim Jusu, Mayor of Uiseong County, stated, "The Next-Generation Agricultural Manager Development Program goes beyond simple financial support by providing young people who choose agriculture as a lifelong career with a stable starting point. We look forward to the active participation and bold challenges of prospective and young farmers who wish to shape the future of agriculture in Uiseong."

Amid the intensifying aging of rural populations and growing labor shortages, this latest initiative by Uiseong County clearly demonstrates a shift toward 'people-centered agricultural policy.' Attention is focused on whether this systematic support, anchored by long-term, low-interest financing, will lead to a generational shift and the restoration of competitiveness in the region's agricultural sector.