Increase in 'Basic Public Direct Payment' Applications Driven by Return to Farming...Payments Begin in November This Year

1,332,000 Applications Received for 2026 Basic Public Direct Payments
2,000 More than Last Year

As the number of people returning to farming and moving from cities to rural areas to engage in agriculture as their primary occupation increases, there has been a slight uptick in direct payment applications. The government plans to finalize the list of recipients and the total payment amount after verifying eligibility criteria and compliance with required obligations, with payments scheduled to start in November 2026.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, as of July 14, 2026, a total of 1,332,000 applications were received for the 2026 Basic Public Direct Payments program, covering 1,046,000 hectares. This year’s number of applications increased by 2,000 compared to last year’s 1,330,000, while the area covered decreased by 25,000 hectares from last year’s 1,071,000 hectares.

A ministry official commented, “The area for applications has decreased due to an overall decline in the number of farmers and a reduction in eligible farmland because of land conversions. However, the slight increase in the total number of applications for the first time in four years is attributed to an 8.5% rise in the population returning to farming (11,617 more people compared to the previous year), as well as the raised threshold for non-farming comprehensive income, which is a criterion for excluding payment recipients.”

Going forward, the ministry will verify whether applicants qualify as small-scale farmers and whether the plots meet eligibility requirements, utilizing system checks and on-site inspections to confirm whether farmers are genuinely engaged in farming. Sixteen compliance items will also be reviewed, including maintaining the shape and function of farmland, safe pesticide usage and residue standards, and fertilizer usage standards. In particular, for those receiving long-term care for the elderly or non-resident cultivators, actual onsite cultivation checks will be conducted in conjunction with a full survey of farmland. After completing these verification and inspection procedures, the ministry plans to finalize the list of recipients and payment amounts by the end of October, and begin disbursing direct payments from November through the end of the year.

Kang Dongyun, Director-General for Rural Income and Energy Policy at the ministry, said, “We will continue to improve the program by raising the income threshold for non-farming activities and enhancing systems to prevent the improper receipt of payments, to ensure that tangible benefits reach farmers. We also urge all farmers to actively comply with the direct payment requirements aimed at preserving the environment and fulfilling the public good.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.