Jeonnam Province to Maintain Rice Management Stabilization Fund at Previous Levels Despite 50% Cut

11.4 Billion Won Added to Supplementary Budget
Rising Agricultural Management Costs Considered
Readjustment of Cash Support Programs Under Discussion

Yoo Deokgyu, Director of the Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Bureau of Jeonnam Province, explained the background of the supplementary budget of 11.4 billion won for rice management stabilization measures at the Jeonnam Provincial Government press room on the morning of the 21st. Photo by Shim Jinseok

On January 21, Jeonnam Province announced that it will include 11.4 billion won, which had previously been reduced by 50% in provincial funding for rice management stabilization measures in the 2025 budget adjustment, in this year's supplementary budget. The province also emphasized that this decision was made after consultations with the provincial council and agricultural organizations.

According to Jeonnam Province on January 21, the rice management stabilization fund was introduced in response to requests from agricultural organizations for compensation for losses amid changes in agricultural policy, such as the postponement of rice tariffication (2004-2014) and the abolition of the government rice purchase system (2005). From 2001 to 2025, Jeonnam Province has supported rice farming households with a total of 1.1465 trillion won in the form of direct payments and other means.

However, last year, the revision of the Grain Management Act and the enactment of the Essential Agricultural Materials Act strengthened the rice price stabilization system and established a national-level agricultural management stabilization system. As a result, Jeonnam Province and the provincial council decided to convert part of the rice management stabilization fund into the Farmers and Fishermen Public Interest Allowance, which supports all farmers and fishermen, and to increase the payment per household from 600,000 won to 700,000 won starting this year.

Nevertheless, due to the continued rise in overall agricultural management costs, including the prices of agricultural machinery, fertilizer, and labor, the burden on rice farming households has increased. Therefore, until the newly enacted Essential Agricultural Materials Act and the revised Grain Management Act are fully implemented, the rice management stabilization fund will continue to be provided in the same manner as before.

In addition, as significant fiscal expenditures are expected for various cash support policies such as the Rural Basic Income and Farmers and Fishermen Public Interest Allowance, which target all rural residents in response to changes in agricultural policy, the province plans to review a rational readjustment of all cash support programs through consultations with the provincial council and agricultural organizations.

Yoo Deokgyu, Director of the Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Bureau of Jeonnam Province, stated, "The goal of agricultural policy is to improve the lives of all farmers, including rice farmers," and emphasized, "We will continue to develop sustainable agricultural support policies that actively reflect the diverse voices of farmers."