The Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRCC) conducted pre-training for representatives of agricultural corporations interested in participating in the joint farming support project.
From November 5 to 6, KRCC held a two-day training session in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, for over 250 representatives from agricultural corporations, as announced on November 9.
This initiative comes in response to increasing interest in joint farming due to the aging rural population and declining agricultural workforce. Joint farming is a method where farmland is collectively utilized and managed by corporations. This approach aims to enhance the scale and efficiency of mechanized farming by consolidating dispersed farmland, while also managing production and distribution collectively to reduce management costs and improve agricultural income.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is promoting the 'Joint Farming Expansion Support Pilot Project' to invigorate joint farming. This year, the project is being implemented with six agricultural corporations, and plans are in place to designate an additional 30 new project sites in 2027.
KRCC organized this training to help corporations prepare systematically for participation in the project. The curriculum focused on practical aspects necessary for participation, covering topics from laws and regulations related to joint farming to the operation of agricultural corporations, crop system composition, and business plan development.
The training began with presentations of successful joint farming cases. Hong Ui-sik, representative of the Neulbom Agricultural Cooperative, shared the process of promoting joint farming in the Yeongsun district of Mungyeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, along with production results and income distribution achievements among participating farmers. Following this, Professor Hwang Jae-hyun from Dongguk University explained the roles of corporations and local governments in promoting joint farming, based on successful examples from Japan.
Training also covered laws and regulations related to joint farming and the operation of agricultural corporations. Attorney Choi Jeong-woon discussed the requirements for designating joint farming management entities and related laws regarding farmland leasing. Accountant Kim Tae-yong addressed the establishment and operation of agricultural corporations and tax practices. Former Daegu University Professor Seok Tae-moon introduced high-income crop system compositions utilizing double cropping and methods for profit settlement and distribution among corporations.
Further training included government policies and project implementation directions, as well as business plan development. Hong Seong-wook, an official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, provided guidance on the direction and support criteria for the 2027 joint farming expansion support project, along with future application schedules. Yoon Seok-hwan, director of the Agricultural Policy Research Center, explained indicators for improving agricultural management and methods for analyzing the appropriateness of facility and equipment investments, and conducted a practical session on writing business plans.
KRCC plans to provide training, tailored consulting, and project performance management for corporations participating in the joint farming expansion support project.
Kim Yoon, head of the KRCC Farmland Bank Division, stated, "Joint farming is a method that enhances the efficiency of utilizing dispersed farmland and allows for the collective use of production and management capabilities. As a support organization for the joint farming expansion support project, we will systematically assist from project preparation to operation and performance management to ensure the stable expansion of joint farming."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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