The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is set to reform its support system to ensure stable farming foundations for young farmers by linking land supply with financial assistance. Plans include establishing support for enhancing the capabilities of prospective farmers and introducing consulting to reduce financial risks for young farmers.
On September 29, Minister Song Mi-ryung held a meeting in Seoul's Jongno district with 12 young farmers from the Ministry's Youth Advisory Group and the Future Farmers Policy Council. The meeting focused on discussing the '2027 Young Farmers Support System Reform Direction' and the challenges young farmers face in rural areas.
The Ministry provided updates on the ongoing comprehensive land survey initiated in May and the subsequent measures announced on September 21. It aims to normalize and legalize customary violations occurring in rural areas, rather than targeting speculative activities or significant illegal land conversions in agricultural promotion areas. Based on the survey results, the Ministry plans to revise the system to ensure that land is smoothly supplied to farmers, including young and full-time farmers who need it.
Targeted actions include cases where land was fraudulently acquired in designated land transaction areas, unauthorized fallowing, illegal leasing, and the illegal conversion of farmland for non-agricultural facilities restricted in agricultural promotion areas.
The reform plan for the young farmers' support system includes the establishment of support for enhancing the capabilities of prospective farmers, strengthening financial risk management for young farmers, and revising policy projects for nurturing future and young farmers.
Prospective farmers will receive step-by-step support, from capability assessments to basic theory and crop exploration education, as well as field training. A budget of 9 billion won will be allocated for new projects in 2027 to enhance capabilities from the startup phase.
To lower financial risks for young farmers, the existing package support for the 'Farm Settlement Support Project' and 'Future Farmer Nurturing Fund' will be revised to allow separate applications as needed. Financial consulting will be introduced to assess the management status of young farmers before repayment periods, suggesting crop transitions or business structure adjustments based on the results.
The scope of support for future and young farmer nurturing policy projects will also be expanded. The range of business registrations allowed under their names will be broadened beyond the sale, processing, and experience of their own agricultural products. Academic work under 60 hours per month will be permitted regardless of duration or day/night status. Young farmers leasing land and facilities from direct ancestors, as well as independent farming couples, will also be eligible to apply for support.
Minister Song emphasized, "I want to clarify once again that this comprehensive land survey is not intended to catch or penalize farmers. Based on the results, we aim to ensure that land is properly passed on to future generations while creating a turning point for revitalizing rural areas."
She added, "The reform plan for the young farmers' support system will begin with this meeting, and we will gather extensive feedback from the field to refine and incorporate it before announcing the final reform plan within the year. We will continue to work towards making our young farmers feel increasingly positive about farming through proactive policy improvements."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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