Gov't boosts support for young people in smart farms, livestock farming

Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung, front row sixth from left, poses with young farmers during a meeting in Jincheon County, North Chungcheong Province, Monday. Joint Press Corps

JINCHEON, North Chungcheong — The agriculture ministry rolled out new policies to support the country's young farmers involved in smart farms and livestock farming to boost these industries among workers in their 20s and 30s.

Recognizing the age groups' familiarity with online databases and modern farming technologies, the new policies have three main focuses: digitalization, the MZ Generation and improving agricultural spaces.

MZ Generation is the Korean term that encompasses Millennials and Generation Z.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has extended the coverage of the government's current services dedicated to the age groups, mitigated current hurdles and invited more of them to take part in the government's agricultural policy planning.

The latest update to the ministry's special task force for the country's agricultural industries — launched in January — consists of 52 policies under four categories.

The ministry has expanded the government's subsidization and information sharing for aspiring farmers.

Some 47 billion won ($35 million) has become available for them this year. The authority will also prioritize them when providing available sites and spaces, including derelict houses and closed schools, for new smart farms or livestock businesses.

The ministry included tourism and outdoor experience sectors in the country's agriculture industry to extend the scope under its business support policies.

The authority has also newly included small greenhouses in farming facilities eligible for its smart farm support funds to help farmers with small budgets.

It has also lowered the minimum site size for rice powder farms eligible for government subsidies from 30 hectares to five. Those who haven't registered their businesses but are planning to do so are now eligible to rent farming machinery.

"The agricultural industry in Korea is changing fast, drawing young people into green bio and food-tech. It's also changing the regional scenery as the entrepreneurs are increasingly opening new businesses like cafes and breweries there in unprecedented ways, mixing old and new styles," Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung said in a meeting with the entrepreneurs in Jincheon County, North Chungcheong Province.

"The ministry will identify the country's new extensive agricultural markets and support the entrepreneurs so that they can endeavor fearlessly."

Song addressed the concerns of entrepreneurs. One participant requested that farming drones be recognized as agricultural machines eligible for government support. Another suggested that the ministry provide more opportunities for entrepreneurs to participate in international exhibitions, allowing their firms to gain global exposure.