Eco-Friendly Farm Direct Payments in Gwangju-Jeollanam-do to Increase by 13 Billion Won, Expected to Reach 35.9 Billion Won Next Year

Increases in Direct Payment Rates for Rice Paddies, Fields, and Fruit
Greater Stability Expected for Farm Management

The eco-friendly agricultural direct payment provided to eco-friendly farms in Gwangju-Jeollanam-do Integrated Metropolitan City is expected to increase significantly next year.

The Integrated Metropolitan City announced on September 3, 2026, that the government budget for eco-friendly agriculture direct payments has been raised from 40.7 billion won this year to 64.1 billion won for 2027. This 23.4 billion won (approximately 58%) increase reflects an additional hike in the per-unit direct payment rate in the central government’s budget proposal.

Eco-friendly Rice Field Joint Pest Control in Masan-myeon, Haenam County. Provided by Gwangju-Jeonnam Integrated Metropolitan City.

Accordingly, the eco-friendly agriculture direct payments provided to the Gwangju-Jeollanam-do region are projected to increase from 22.9 billion won in 2026 to about 35.9 billion won next year, up by more than 13 billion won. As of August 31 this year, the number of eco-friendly agriculture direct payment applications in the region stands at 16,111 farms and 28,015 hectares, with applicants requesting a total of 23.4 billion won.

From next year, the payment per hectare will also increase. In the case of rice paddies, the organic direct payment per hectare will rise from 950,000 won to 1.2 million won, and the non-pesticide rate from 750,000 won to 1 million won, both increasing by 250,000 won respectively.

The continuous organic farming direct payment, which is paid from the sixth year onwards, will also increase. For rice paddies, the payment per hectare will rise from 570,000 won to 720,000 won (up by 150,000 won); for vegetables, from 780,000 won to 1.08 million won (up by 300,000 won); and for fruit, from 840,000 won to 1.14 million won (up by 300,000 won), respectively.

Of particular note, the per-hectare direct payment rate for fields and fruit, which has been frozen for nine years, will be raised by 500,000 won for the first time in a decade. For rice paddies, following the 250,000 won increase in 2025 and the additional 250,000 won hike this time, both rice paddies and fields will see their per-hectare rates increased by 500,000 won from 2025 onward.

The Integrated Metropolitan City has consistently requested the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the National Assembly to raise the per-unit direct payment and expand support, citing the need to compensate for the income gap, as eco-friendly rice farmers have typically earned less than conventional farmers.

Yoo Deok-gyu, head of the Agriculture and Fisheries Division at Gwangju-Jeollanam-do Integrated Metropolitan City, said, "For farms that diligently practice eco-friendly agriculture despite challenging rural conditions stemming from abnormal weather and rising input costs, the increase in direct payments is welcome news. We will further accelerate our efforts to produce trusted agricultural products for consumers by promoting land consolidation, cluster formation, and crop diversification, as well as expand eco-friendly farming centered on organic agriculture."

Meanwhile, the eco-friendly agriculture direct payment program has been in place since 1999 to compensate for income reduction and production cost differences associated with eco-friendly agriculture. This year, the direct payments are scheduled to be provided in December after a compliance check to be conducted by October.

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