"Agricultural Collapse Crisis"...Jo Inho: "We Must Boldly Demand Budget from Integrated City Mayor"

Despite Integration of Gwangju and Jeonnam, Agricultural Budget Remains Stagnant
Facing the Dual Pressures of Climate Crisis and Rising Costs
"Agricultural Research and Extension Services Must Move Beyond Desk-Bound Administration"

Jo Inho, a member of the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City Council (Democratic Party of Korea, Wando District 2), has called for a significant increase in the agricultural budget and proactive changes in the roles of specialized organizations to support rural communities struggling with the spread of the climate crisis and surging production costs.

According to the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City Council on July 21, Jo Inho urged the integrated special city and related institutions to take strong, preemptive action to secure budget allocations for the agricultural sector during the work report session of the Agricultural Research and Extension Services held the previous day.

Jo Inho, Former Member of the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City Council.

On that day, Councilor Jo stated, “We must represent the voices of rural communities that are facing limits due to the expanding climate crisis and the sharp increase in agricultural production costs,” and emphasized, “We must speak up boldly to the integrated city mayor in order to secure the agricultural budget.”

He further pointed out, “Although Jeonnam and Gwangju have merged to become a major metropolitan municipality representing Korea, budget investment and policy support for the agricultural sector remain far short of expectations.”

Jo Inho specifically addressed the Acting Director of the Agricultural Research and Extension Services, Kim Donggwan, Head of Research and Development, saying, “With the agricultural ecosystem on the brink of collapse, now is the time for the director to show determination and firmly persuade the integrated city mayor of the necessity to expand the agricultural budget.” He pressed for strong leadership in this matter.

In addition to expanding the budget, Jo Inho also called for internal reforms within the organization. He stated, “Move beyond desk-bound administration and demonstrate the core expertise of the organization by developing climate-adaptive varieties and testing new technologies—in other words, address the on-site needs that farmers find most pressing.”

Having served four terms on the Wando County Council, including as chairperson, and being recognized for his deep understanding of agricultural fieldwork, Jo Inho plans to continue his legislative activities and policy proposals so that the agricultural budget of the Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City is substantially increased and professional agricultural administration is realized.

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