ABSTRACT
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of Korea outlined its major policy initiatives for 2024 in March. This outline covers the policy achievements of 2023, evaluates the past year, and presents the primary policy directions for addressing the evolving needs of the agricultural, forestry, livestock, rural, and food sectors in 2024. The Ministry has organized its key strategies for 2024 into five main areas, which this manuscript details.
Keywords: Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Major Policy Plans for 2024
MAIN POLICY DIRECTIONS IN 2024
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (hereafter referred to as the Ministry) announced its major work plan for 2024, aiming to create an agricultural and rural environment open to all citizens, based on the three major transitions: digital transformation, generational shift, and rural space transformation. Despite challenging internal and external conditions such as supply chain crises, economic uncertainties, and extreme weather, the Ministry achieved significant milestones in addressing immediate concerns such as stabilizing rice prices, early containment of livestock infectious diseases, and enhancing food self-sufficiency rates. It also achieved milestones in sustainable agricultural and rural development, including the increase in food self-sufficiency rates and the record-high exports through K-Food+. This year, the Ministry plans to focus on creating a future-oriented growth industry through digital transformation and technological innovation, establishing income stability and management safety nets for farmers, strengthening scientific supply management, transitioning rural areas into spaces for living, working, and leisure, and realizing advanced-level animal welfare and nurturing pet-related industries.
First, to promote the future growth of agriculture as a high-income and advanced industry, the Ministry will prioritize the convergence of advanced technologies such as ICT and AI within the agricultural chain, fostering synergies with new industries such as food tech and supporting young farmers. It aims to transition from hardware-centric first-generation smart agriculture to AI-based second-generation agriculture through the dissemination of excellent solutions in production areas such as greenhouses, livestock, and fields, as well as through significant improvements in related regulations. To support youth interested in entrepreneurship in agriculture and related industries, the Ministry will significantly expand investments in land, funding, and housing. Various forms of land supply targeting young people, such as public leasing, rent-to-own, and pre-lease with post-purchase options, will be expanded. Additionally, support will be provided for the establishment of agricultural startups, including the establishment of funds. To enhance the convergence and synergy effects between agriculture and the food industry, the Ministry will establish food tech research support centers and expand dedicated funds and research and development efforts in this field. It will also actively cultivate key export items and explore emerging markets to achieve export goals.
Second, the Ministry will establish a Korean-style income stability and management safety net and enhance food security. It plans to strengthen risk management systems such as agricultural income insurance and disaster insurance, focusing on strategic crops to continue the upward trend in food self-sufficiency rates. Measures such as expanding various voluntary insurance schemes and increasing the range of items covered by revenue insurance will also be implemented to enhance disaster recovery support for agriculture. To alleviate the burden of rising raw material prices, the Ministry will provide support by covering the price difference for inorganic fertilizers, offering livestock feed purchasing loans, and providing fuel subsidies for facility farms. Efforts will also be made to address the shortage of agricultural labor by significantly expanding the quota for foreign workers and increasing the number of public seasonal labor centers. To improve the self-sufficiency rate of major grains, the Ministry will raise unit prices for strategic crops and expand the coverage of crops, while also expanding production sites and reserves. It will establish a stable supply system for rice through three stages: cultivation, growth, and harvest, and expand food aid and public reserves.
Third, the Ministry will enhance scientific supply management based on predictions and strengthen the environmental and ecological functions of the agriculture and livestock industry. It plans to transition from reactive measures to proactive and autonomous responses by collaborating with producers, local governments, and other stakeholders to address supply instability factors systematically. In anticipation of short-term supply instability in certain products, the Ministry will expand pre-cultivation management for selected crops and increase the number of participating local governments. It will also improve systems such as the vegetable price stabilization program to increase farmer participation and revise the Mutual Aid Funds Act to clarify the roles and functions of mutual aid groups. To mitigate the environmental burden of agriculture, the Ministry will introduce a carbon-neutral program that provides direct payments for low-carbon farming activities and expand eco-friendly integrated farming areas. In the livestock sector, it will mandate greenhouse gas reduction devices for government-supported composting facilities and expand facilities for biogas and energy production, aiming to establish a low-carbon base in manure treatment processes. Building on the successful early containment of livestock infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, the Ministry will strengthen preventive measures based on the responsibility of livestock stakeholders, enhance inspection, disinfection, and pest control measures, and promote collaboration with private sector specialized disease control companies.
Fourth, the Ministry will restructure rural areas into spaces for living, working, and leisure. It plans to transition the framework of rural policies through the Rural Space Planning System, promoting capital inflow, job creation, and revitalization of rural areas. To attract external populations and capital to rural areas, the Ministry will introduce and refine systems such as the utilization of vacant houses for homestays, extension of experimental lodging businesses, special tax incentives for second homes in areas facing population decline, and the introduction of self-regulatory innovation zones. It will also improve the land system to meet the needs of consumers by lifting restrictions on small and fragmented areas and allowing the establishment of rural stay facilities. Aligned with the enactment of the "Rural Space Restructuring and Regeneration Support Act," the Ministry will formulate a ten-year basic policy at the national level and support pilot plans for local governments to develop spatial plans tailored to their regional characteristics. It aims to initiate comprehensive restructuring to make rural areas a new opportunity space for all citizens.
Fifth, the Ministry will achieve advanced-level animal welfare and foster pet-related industries. Building on the momentum of ending the consumption of dog meat, it will elevate animal welfare systems and infrastructure to the level of advanced countries and promote pet-related industries such as pet food and animal healthcare as new growth engines. To ensure the smooth implementation of measures to end dog meat consumption, the Ministry will establish special teams at the central and local levels, submit reports from farms, and implement action plans in accordance with the "Dog Meat Consumption Special Law." It will also prepare reasonable support measures for livestock farmers through communication with relevant industries. To enhance awareness of animal welfare, the Ministry will establish a long-term plan titled the "Third Comprehensive Animal Welfare Plan (2025-2029)" and implement measures to strengthen animal abuse penalties and reform the medical system for animals. It will also introduce legislation to promote pet-related industries and create a new "One-Welfare Valley" for research and demonstration of pet products and services.
The Minister expressed her commitment to leading the Ministry in providing the best policies and services to the citizens by addressing field issues promptly through proactive regulatory reforms and eliminating barriers between ministries and the private sector. She emphasized the importance of the three major transitions - digital transformation, generational shift, and rural space transformation - in realizing a warm and inclusive Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs that can meet the expectations of the people in challenging times of economic uncertainty.
DETAILS OF THE 2024 POLICY PLANS
Growth of future industries through digital transformation and technological innovation
Digital transformation across production, processing, and distribution utilizing ICT and AI
The Ministry has announced plans to enhance smart farming tailored to each field such as greenhouses, livestock, and open fields. Regarding greenhouses, a transition from hardware (1.5th generation level) to software (2nd generation) is expected. Additionally, there are plans to promote the development of excellent solutions for horticulture (support for 23 consortia) and their distribution to farms (1,100 farms, March), as well as to improve the data collection and analysis system for commercializing AI-based models. In the case of livestock, there are expectations to support problem-solving optimal technologies concerning diseases, odor, and productivity. The distribution of breeding models by livestock type and category will be expanded (from 10 to 20), and it is anticipated that a smart livestock big data platform will also be established (October). For open fields, efficiency is expected to be improved through the mechanization of farming operations centered on major production areas. Plans include expanding the designation of excellent models for mechanizing major production areas of field crops (garlic and onions) (from 6 sites to 15 sites) and operating an automation demonstration site (April, city of Naju).
The Ministry has announced the easing of regulations and strengthening of support for the growth of vertical farms. Vertical farms will be allowed to be installed on farmland within certain areas and their installation in industrial complexes will also be allowed. It is expected that vertical farms will be included in the target registration for agricultural management entities to receive policy support (April). The Ministry also plans to establish the "Development Plan for Smart Farming (including Vertical Farms)" (March) and the "Basic Plan for Fostering Smart Farming" (December) in this regard.
The Ministry plans to strengthen support for the development of the food tech industry and the green bio industry. They announced plans to establish "Food Tech Research Support Centers" to support product development and verification (from 2024 to 2026, at 3 locations). They also revealed plans to expand the dedicated fund to support food tech industry (from US$7.41 million to US$14.81 million[1]) and to initiate new research and development projects (38 projects, US$8.44 million). Regarding the green bio industry, they plan to expand the establishment of research and production hubs (from 9 to 11) and to establish two new advanced material analysis systems. Additionally, The Ministry announced the creation of one additional "Venture Campus," bringing the total to five.
The Ministry plans to achieve a transaction volume of US$370.37 million through the online wholesale market for agricultural products (opened in November 2023, with a turnover of US$3.93 million). They plan to expand the Smart Farmland Distribution Centers (from 14 locations in 2023 to 26 locations in 2024, with a further expansion to 100 locations by 2027) and ensure that all are registered as "sellers" (by March) and foster specialized organizations with an exclusive shipping system (from 26 locations to 35 locations). There are plans to relax the criteria for "seller" registration (currently, the transaction volume is US$3.70 million), and induce expanded participation through incentives such as the “activation of farmland distribution” policies. In 2023, out of 340 companies, there were 114 sellers and 226 buyers. The target for 2024 is 1,917 companies (938 sellers and 979 buyers). Furthermore, the government plans to expand the handling of reserved agricultural products and processed foods in the second half of 2024. They plan to introduce new trading methods such as joint purchasing or long-term reservation trading to improve transaction convenience and user convenience. Additionally, The Ministry announced plans to enhance the platform functions, including the establishment of a decision support system.
The Ministry has announced a restructuring of the research and development system and the activation of technology finance to support the growth of future industries. They plan to develop innovative research and development strategies to focus on "absolutely necessary research," such as institution-specific specialized research and strengthening international collaborative research (March). There are plans to invest research and development budgets intensively in the three major priority areas: Smart Farming, Food Tech, and Green Bio. The investment in the three major priority areas in 2024 is projected to be US$69.70 million, accounting for 43.6% of the agricultural and food research and development budget for 2024. Additionally, the Ministry plans to fully launch the "Agricultural and Food Company Information Provision Platform" (from March), which will provide startup and investment support information, industry trends, and management information to private investors. They also announced plans to establish the basis for a private venture capital fund (the second half of 2024). The initial private venture capital fund is planned to be formed from US$37.04 million and is aimed to reach US$74.07 million by 2027.
Nurturing the youth generation
The Ministry has announced plans to expand support and improve related policies in the areas of farmlands, facilities, and financing to meet the needs of young farmers. They will expand the supply of farmlands to young farmers through various methods such as public lease, rental lease, and lease with subsequent purchase through the Farmland Bank. Four more "rental-type" smart farms (for a maximum of 3 years) will be added targeting graduates of the Innovation Valley Incubation Center (208 annually, for 20 months). This will bring the total to 13 smart farms. Additionally, they plan to increase the scale of the "Succession Farm Manager Support Fund" from US$38.07 million to US$51.04 million, and expand the limit for preferential guarantees for young farmers (95%) from US$0.22 million to US$0.37 million per person, effective from October 2023. The new target for support in the Young Farmer Settlement Support Program will be expanded from 4,000 to 5,000 individuals, and The Ministry also announced plans to establish eight more "Young Farmer Settlement Villages," bringing the total to 17.
The Ministry has announced plans to improve the policies for smooth succession of farms. In order to prevent the division of farmland when transferring the family business, there are plans suggested to relax the requirements for establishing farming cooperatives for family farmers (expected in the second half of 2024). They also announced plans to support the modernization of facilities and technology, as well as the attraction of funds and consulting for the succession of farms.
The Ministry has also announced plans to expand the scope of policy support to include upstream and downstream industries related to agriculture (the Agribiz+). They plan to provide a policy project called "One-Stop Support Service" to support youth startups (starting from June). They will also provide startup consulting in various fields such as agricultural product processing, distribution, marketing, culture, tourism, agricultural machinery, and care services. Additionally, they announced plans to support startups and commercialization by establishing funds for youth (with a scale of US$148.15 million).
K-Food+ Export expansion and expansion into emerging markets such as the Middle East
The Ministry has announced its goal to achieve US$10 billion in agricultural and food exports through quality enhancement, logistics system modernization, and exploring new markets. They have stated their intention to pursue specialized strategies for each product, such as variety development for cultivating "the next strawberry," and to establish a specialized logistics system to improve freshness. Additionally, they plan to support market entry into new regions such as Halal and Central and South America, as well as realize market development through collaboration between large and small enterprises. Efforts will also be made to host the first “International Gourmet Festival” and to expand the number of "Excellent Overseas Korean Restaurants." In 2023, 13 "Excellent Overseas Korean Restaurants" were selected in cities such as New York, Paris, and Tokyo, with plans to add London in 2024. There are plans to select a total of up to 30 restaurants.
The Ministry has also announced its goal to achieve US$3.5 billion in exports in the upstream and downstream industries related to agriculture through the expansion of smart farm package exports and so on. Following the visit by the President to the Middle East in 2023, during which 7 corporate MOUs were signed, the ministry plans to provide close support through the "One-Stop Export/Contract Support Team" to ensure that these MOUs result in export contracts and actual orders. They plan to establish a demonstration greenhouse in Saudi Arabia (by 2025) and expand the designation of "Smart Farm Priority Support Trade Offices" in the Middle East and other regions (four new offices). Additionally, to support market development in countries where GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) is mandatory, such as China, the ministry plans to introduce a GMP system for animal medical devices for export companies.
The Ministry has announced its plan to expand the dissemination of agricultural technology overseas through the full-scale implementation of the 'K-Rice Belt'. They plan to expand rice seed production to 3,000 tons in seven countries (410 ha) (2,000 tons in 2023). They will select demonstration villages for seed supply in Ghana, Senegal, etc., and plan to demonstrate the superiority of K-seeds compared to local varieties. On the other hand, they have announced plans to promote the expansion of K-farm machinery supply through a support ODA (Official Development Assistance) project for used farm machinery. They will initiate a new project in Senegal in 2024 to support the provision and establishment of a repair center for used farm machinery (US$0.74 million).
Establishment of income and business security for farming households and enhancement of food security
Establishment of robust income and business security for farming households
The Ministry has announced plans to establish a Korea-specific income and business security net. To alleviate the instability of farm income, there are plans to expand the income support system by expanding crop insurance and other income support systems. The plan is to expand the number of items eligible for crop insurance benefits from 7 in July 2023 to around 10 by 2024. They have also stated that they will improve the method of assessing harvest volume and establish relevant legal grounds. Additionally, there are plans to increase the direct payment unit price for small farmers from US$889, an increase of US$74. They have also announced plans to expand the “Selection-based Direct Payment”, including increasing the “Landscape Conservation Direct Payment” from US$7.33 million to US$12.44 million. They plan to establish a "Basic Plan for Public-Benefit Direct Payment" to complement the "Basic Direct Payment" and expand the "Selection-based Direct Payment" (2nd half of 2024).
The Ministry has also announced plans to strengthen risk management in response to agricultural disasters. They plan to expand the items and regions eligible for benefits from “Crop Disaster Insurance” (from 70 items and 47 regions in 2023 to 73 items and 56 regions in 2024). Additionally, they will devise improvement measures for agricultural disaster recovery support, such as implementing realistic damage recovery unit prices or adding new support items.
The Ministry has announced plans to ease the financial burden on farming households, such as fertilizer, feed, and fuel costs, and to expand the supply of agricultural labor. A project will be initiated to support the price difference resulting from the increase in the price of inorganic fertilizers (US$21.33 million). Additionally, there are plans to promote the provision of livestock feed purchase funds (US$740.74 million, interest rate 1.8%). They have also announced plans to provide fuel subsidies for facility farms (US$5.19 million). Furthermore, they will expand the allocation of foreign labor and also expand the number of public-type seasonal labor centers (from 19 centers to 70 centers). There are plans to construct additional worker dormitories (10 facilities), and in the first half of 2024, they plan to improve the lodging installation requirements. Specifically, they will increase the maximum area of farmers’ housing within farmland for the installation of worker lodging (from 660㎡/household to 1,000).
Establishment of a robust food security system
The Ministry has announced plans to strengthen the self-sufficiency base of major grains such as rice, wheat, and beans. They plan to increase the unit price of the “Strategic Crop Direct Payment” and expand the range of items eligible. They plan to expand floury rice production sites to 10,000 hectares, producing 50,000 tons (2,000 hectares and 10,000 tons in 2023). They will encourage the development of new floury rice products for the food and catering industries and support the expansion of floury rice consumption by helping to replace wheat flour. Additionally, the Ministry plan to expand wheat and bean specialized production sites and storage, and establish consumption bases by supporting related product development.
The Ministry has announced plans to strengthen proactive demand-supply management and promote the stability of rice demand-supply through demand expansion. They will establish a three-level rice demand-supply stabilization system, including inducing appropriate production before planting, proactive supply control during growth, and post-harvest supplementation measures. Specifically, they plan to establish a scientific rice demand-supply prediction system in the second half of 2024. Furthermore, they plan to strengthen demand-supply stability by expanding food aid and public stockpiles from 400,000 tons to 450,000 tons. They also plan to increase the support price for the "Thousand Won Breakfast" to 2,000 won and expand the target (from 144 schools and a budget of US$1.85 million in 2023 to 186 schools and a budget of US$6.93 million in 2024). They also plan to promote rice consumption by expanding exports of the top 10 processed products (from 217 million dollars in 2023 to 234 million dollars in 2024).
The Ministry has announced plans to strengthen the management of agricultural production infrastructure, including the safety management of agricultural irrigation facilities. They plan to expand investment for irrigation facility maintenance (from US$482.96 million to US$552.59 million). They also stated that they will enhance the design standards for drainage facilities and expand drainage fields and channels (US$274.07 million to US$336.30 million). Additionally, they announced plans to install flood forecasting and warning systems, as well as remote operation equipment, utilizing ICT (Information and Communication Technology).
Enhancement of environmental and ecological functions and scientific demand-supply management for agricultural and livestock industries
Autonomous and proactive supply management based on demand-supplyprediction
The Ministry announced its intention to strengthen cooperation among producer organizations, local governments, and the central government to mitigate the volatility of prices for key vegetables and fruits. They plan to expand the coverage of crops subject to pre-management of appropriate cultivation areas (garlic and onions from July to December in 2023, with additional winter radishes) and increase the number of participating local governments from 3 to 6. Additionally, they intend to improve the related policies by increasing the subsidy ratio to encourage participation in the "Vegetable Price Stability Scheme." They also stated plans to proactively address cold damage and other risks through the operation of the “growth management committees” for apple and pear. Furthermore, they aim to develop "medium to long-term competitiveness enhancement measures for the fruit industry" considering climate change, including expanding disaster prevention facilities.
The Ministry also announced plans to improve the livestock demand-supply management system. They stated their intention to refine the "demand-supply control manual" for pre-production adjustment, with a main contribution by the Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) producer organization. Additionally, they plan to enhance the Hanwoo outlook system to reflect management and consumption rather than just supply aspects such as slaughter and rearing. Lastly, they expressed their commitment to devising measures to strengthen the functions of livestock self-help organizations in enhancing the stability of the demand-supply of major livestock products.
Promotion of environmentally friendly agriculture and livestock industries and prevention of livestock diseases
The Ministry announced plans to expand environmentally friendly and low-carbon farming practices and to promote renewable energy in rural areas. They plan to implement the "Carbon Neutral Program," which provides direct payments for low-carbon farming (KRW9 billion). It is planned to mandate the installation of greenhouse gas reduction facilities in composting facilities supported by the government for appropriate treatment of livestock manure (April). There are plans to expand the scope of low-carbon livestock certification targets (from Hanwoo to include pork and milk) and to distribute feed that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, aiming to practice carbon reduction in the livestock sector (from the first quarter of 2024). Additionally, to promote energy transition in the agriculture and rural sectors, they will commence experimental farming-based solar power projects utilizing reclaimed land (300kW). Four additional “rural energy self-sufficient villages” will be developed (total of 12).
The Ministry announced plans to strengthen the production base of environmentally friendly agriculture and livestock industries, diversify distribution channels, and promote consumption. They stated their intention to develop a "direct payment revision plan" to expand the production of environmentally friendly agricultural and livestock products (second half of 2024). They plan to designate areas with a high proportion of environmentally friendly agriculture as “concentrated zones” and support them as production hubs by providing facilities, equipment, consulting services, etc. (from 36 to 51 sites). They also announced their intention to conduct year-round campaigns to promote the consumption of environmentally friendly agricultural products in collaboration with self-help organizations and large retailers.
The Ministry announced plans to strengthen farm accountability and expand private sector participation in improving the livestock disease control system. They plan to implement special management measures for 18 cities and counties with a high number of egg-laying farms to ensure stable egg demand-supply. Additionally, they stated their intention to expand the utilization of private sector experts in inspection, disinfection, and pest control activities.
Transformation of rural areas into living, working, and recreational spaces through rural restructuring
Vitalization of rural economy through the utilization of diverse resources
The Ministry announced plans to revise relevant regulations to facilitate the influx of external population and capital into rural areas. They plan to conduct a survey on vacant houses in rural areas (US$1.85 million) and operate a vacant house bank in collaboration with private platforms. They also intend to improve related regulations, such as relaxing the housing size restrictions, to promote the activation of rural homestays. Additionally, they stated plans to introduce measures for setting up "self-regulatory innovation zones" to provide special tax breaks for “second house” in rural areas at risk of depopulation (second half of 2024).
The Ministry announced plans to relax regulations to meet the diverse demands of urban residents for agricultural land. They stated their intention to allow the establishment of "rural stay shelters" where urban residents or weekend farming experience participants can temporarily reside. They also announced plans to revise the Farmland Act through consultations with stakeholders such as farmers, experts, and local governments, as well as through discussions with relevant ministries (second half of 2024).
The Ministry announced plans to improve related regulations to enable the utilization of various resources such as food and tourism for businesses. They stated their intention to support the initial growth of businesses certified under the "Rural Complex Industry" by providing startup funds and expanding special exemptions for facility installation. They plan to encourage villages and travel agencies to jointly sell and operate "specialized tourism products" (20 locations). Additionally, they announced plans to support the activation of "Rural-Style Work-cation" through private sector collaboration.
Establishment of comprehensive rural spatial planning and improvement of residential conditions
The Ministry announced plans to establish and finalize the institutionalization of the “Rural Spatial Plan” at the city and county level. They plan to develop a national 10-year basic policy for the “Rural Spatial Plan”. Additionally, they plan to enact or revise subordinate regulations and relevant laws in line with the implementation of the "Rural Spatial Restructuring Act."
Furthermore, the ministry intends to promote a new “rural agreement system” centered around the "Rural Spatial Plan." They aim to continuously expand rural agreements to support rural regeneration (from 75 to 95 agreements). They also plan to develop new "Rural Agreement System Improvement Measures" that integrate and support related projects under the "Rural Spatial Plan."
The Ministry also stated plans to expand welfare services in rural areas using ICT. They plan to pilot non-face-to-face medical consultations and strengthen the delivery system for life services using smart transportation models. Additionally, they will introduce a new "Rural Mobile Health Bus Program" in collaboration with medical organizations or clinics to provide medical services such as traditional Korean medicine, dentistry, and ophthalmology to medically underserved rural areas (US$2.37 million). They also announced plans to expand special health check-ups for female farmers (30,000 individuals in 50 cities and counties).
Achieving advanced level of animal welfare and promoting pet-related industries
Phasing out dog neat consumption and strengthening animal welfare
The Ministry has announced plans to transition South Korea into a nation that no longer consumes dog meat by the year 2027. They plan to conduct relevant surveys and establish a "Basic Plan for Ending Dog Meat Consumption" to assess the current status of the industry, provide support measures, establish protection measures for dogs whose ownership has been relinquished, and develop yearly implementation plans. Additionally, they have stated their intention to solidify support measures for dog farming households through communication with related industries. Specifically, they will support facility demolition and industry conversion, and plan to provide additional support measures to facilitate the resumption of economic activities among dog farming households.
The Ministry has announced plans to promote improvements in areas where animal welfare is vulnerable, such as illegal animal businesses. They plan to expand punishment for animal abuse, strengthen business management, and reform the medical system, as part of the mid-to-long-term direction for animal welfare outlined in the "3rd Comprehensive Animal Welfare Plan (2025-2029)."
Additionally, the ministry has stated its commitment to preventing dog attacks and easing conflicts caused by aggressive dogs. They plan to implement new regulations related to aggressive dog ownership, including a permit system for keeping aggressive dogs (mandatory permit for those wishing to keep aggressive dogs) and an assessment system to evaluate the aggressiveness of dogs. They also announced plans to establish and implement a national qualification system for pet behavior trainers.
Promotion of pet-related industries and improvement of the animal healthcare system
The Ministry has announced plans to foster the pet-related industry by establishing specialized policies and infrastructure. They plan to prepare a "Pet-related Industry Promotion Law (tentative)" in the second half of 2024 to systematically promote the industry. This law will include provisions for enhancing exports of pet-related products, fostering venture companies, providing investment support, designating special zones for the industry, and cultivating talents with integrated skills. Additionally, they have announced plans to create a "One-Welfare Valley" for researching pet products and services. They also intend to strengthen support for market exploration in promising export markets for pet food, such as Southeast Asia.
Furthermore, the ministry aims to improve transparency and professionalism in animal healthcare and alleviate the financial burden on pet owners. To enhance the rights to know and choices of pet caregivers, they plan to standardize veterinary care and expand "pre-treatment information disclosure" measures. They will also establish a system for specialized veterinarians (specialization by medical field) and advanced-level animal hospitals (secondary animal hospitals) to meet the demand for professional animal healthcare by December. Lastly, they will develop a "Mid-to-Long-Term Development Plan for Animal Health Practitioners" by December to establish and expand the role of animal health practitioners, establish a standardized education curriculum, reform the evaluation and certification system for institutions training animal health practitioners, and improve the national qualification examination system for animal health practitioners.
CONCLUSION
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has outlined an ambitious work plan for 2024 to create an inclusive and future-oriented agricultural and rural environment. This year, leveraging regulatory innovation and removing barriers between ministries and the private sector, the Ministry plans to focus on five key tasks to achieve outcomes and address agricultural field issues: transforming agriculture into a future-oriented growth industry through digital transformation and technological innovation, establishing income stability and management safety nets for farmers, strengthening scientific demand-supply management, converting rural areas into spaces for living, working, and leisure, and achieving advanced-level animal welfare while nurturing pet-related industries.
REFERENCES
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. (2024). Major Policy Plans for 2024 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
[1] Exchange rate applied here is US$1 = KRW1,350 hereafter.
Major Policy Plans for 2024 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in Korea
ABSTRACT
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of Korea outlined its major policy initiatives for 2024 in March. This outline covers the policy achievements of 2023, evaluates the past year, and presents the primary policy directions for addressing the evolving needs of the agricultural, forestry, livestock, rural, and food sectors in 2024. The Ministry has organized its key strategies for 2024 into five main areas, which this manuscript details.
Keywords: Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Major Policy Plans for 2024
MAIN POLICY DIRECTIONS IN 2024
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (hereafter referred to as the Ministry) announced its major work plan for 2024, aiming to create an agricultural and rural environment open to all citizens, based on the three major transitions: digital transformation, generational shift, and rural space transformation. Despite challenging internal and external conditions such as supply chain crises, economic uncertainties, and extreme weather, the Ministry achieved significant milestones in addressing immediate concerns such as stabilizing rice prices, early containment of livestock infectious diseases, and enhancing food self-sufficiency rates. It also achieved milestones in sustainable agricultural and rural development, including the increase in food self-sufficiency rates and the record-high exports through K-Food+. This year, the Ministry plans to focus on creating a future-oriented growth industry through digital transformation and technological innovation, establishing income stability and management safety nets for farmers, strengthening scientific supply management, transitioning rural areas into spaces for living, working, and leisure, and realizing advanced-level animal welfare and nurturing pet-related industries.
First, to promote the future growth of agriculture as a high-income and advanced industry, the Ministry will prioritize the convergence of advanced technologies such as ICT and AI within the agricultural chain, fostering synergies with new industries such as food tech and supporting young farmers. It aims to transition from hardware-centric first-generation smart agriculture to AI-based second-generation agriculture through the dissemination of excellent solutions in production areas such as greenhouses, livestock, and fields, as well as through significant improvements in related regulations. To support youth interested in entrepreneurship in agriculture and related industries, the Ministry will significantly expand investments in land, funding, and housing. Various forms of land supply targeting young people, such as public leasing, rent-to-own, and pre-lease with post-purchase options, will be expanded. Additionally, support will be provided for the establishment of agricultural startups, including the establishment of funds. To enhance the convergence and synergy effects between agriculture and the food industry, the Ministry will establish food tech research support centers and expand dedicated funds and research and development efforts in this field. It will also actively cultivate key export items and explore emerging markets to achieve export goals.
Second, the Ministry will establish a Korean-style income stability and management safety net and enhance food security. It plans to strengthen risk management systems such as agricultural income insurance and disaster insurance, focusing on strategic crops to continue the upward trend in food self-sufficiency rates. Measures such as expanding various voluntary insurance schemes and increasing the range of items covered by revenue insurance will also be implemented to enhance disaster recovery support for agriculture. To alleviate the burden of rising raw material prices, the Ministry will provide support by covering the price difference for inorganic fertilizers, offering livestock feed purchasing loans, and providing fuel subsidies for facility farms. Efforts will also be made to address the shortage of agricultural labor by significantly expanding the quota for foreign workers and increasing the number of public seasonal labor centers. To improve the self-sufficiency rate of major grains, the Ministry will raise unit prices for strategic crops and expand the coverage of crops, while also expanding production sites and reserves. It will establish a stable supply system for rice through three stages: cultivation, growth, and harvest, and expand food aid and public reserves.
Third, the Ministry will enhance scientific supply management based on predictions and strengthen the environmental and ecological functions of the agriculture and livestock industry. It plans to transition from reactive measures to proactive and autonomous responses by collaborating with producers, local governments, and other stakeholders to address supply instability factors systematically. In anticipation of short-term supply instability in certain products, the Ministry will expand pre-cultivation management for selected crops and increase the number of participating local governments. It will also improve systems such as the vegetable price stabilization program to increase farmer participation and revise the Mutual Aid Funds Act to clarify the roles and functions of mutual aid groups. To mitigate the environmental burden of agriculture, the Ministry will introduce a carbon-neutral program that provides direct payments for low-carbon farming activities and expand eco-friendly integrated farming areas. In the livestock sector, it will mandate greenhouse gas reduction devices for government-supported composting facilities and expand facilities for biogas and energy production, aiming to establish a low-carbon base in manure treatment processes. Building on the successful early containment of livestock infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, the Ministry will strengthen preventive measures based on the responsibility of livestock stakeholders, enhance inspection, disinfection, and pest control measures, and promote collaboration with private sector specialized disease control companies.
Fourth, the Ministry will restructure rural areas into spaces for living, working, and leisure. It plans to transition the framework of rural policies through the Rural Space Planning System, promoting capital inflow, job creation, and revitalization of rural areas. To attract external populations and capital to rural areas, the Ministry will introduce and refine systems such as the utilization of vacant houses for homestays, extension of experimental lodging businesses, special tax incentives for second homes in areas facing population decline, and the introduction of self-regulatory innovation zones. It will also improve the land system to meet the needs of consumers by lifting restrictions on small and fragmented areas and allowing the establishment of rural stay facilities. Aligned with the enactment of the "Rural Space Restructuring and Regeneration Support Act," the Ministry will formulate a ten-year basic policy at the national level and support pilot plans for local governments to develop spatial plans tailored to their regional characteristics. It aims to initiate comprehensive restructuring to make rural areas a new opportunity space for all citizens.
Fifth, the Ministry will achieve advanced-level animal welfare and foster pet-related industries. Building on the momentum of ending the consumption of dog meat, it will elevate animal welfare systems and infrastructure to the level of advanced countries and promote pet-related industries such as pet food and animal healthcare as new growth engines. To ensure the smooth implementation of measures to end dog meat consumption, the Ministry will establish special teams at the central and local levels, submit reports from farms, and implement action plans in accordance with the "Dog Meat Consumption Special Law." It will also prepare reasonable support measures for livestock farmers through communication with relevant industries. To enhance awareness of animal welfare, the Ministry will establish a long-term plan titled the "Third Comprehensive Animal Welfare Plan (2025-2029)" and implement measures to strengthen animal abuse penalties and reform the medical system for animals. It will also introduce legislation to promote pet-related industries and create a new "One-Welfare Valley" for research and demonstration of pet products and services.
The Minister expressed her commitment to leading the Ministry in providing the best policies and services to the citizens by addressing field issues promptly through proactive regulatory reforms and eliminating barriers between ministries and the private sector. She emphasized the importance of the three major transitions - digital transformation, generational shift, and rural space transformation - in realizing a warm and inclusive Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs that can meet the expectations of the people in challenging times of economic uncertainty.
DETAILS OF THE 2024 POLICY PLANS
Growth of future industries through digital transformation and technological innovation
Digital transformation across production, processing, and distribution utilizing ICT and AI
The Ministry has announced plans to enhance smart farming tailored to each field such as greenhouses, livestock, and open fields. Regarding greenhouses, a transition from hardware (1.5th generation level) to software (2nd generation) is expected. Additionally, there are plans to promote the development of excellent solutions for horticulture (support for 23 consortia) and their distribution to farms (1,100 farms, March), as well as to improve the data collection and analysis system for commercializing AI-based models. In the case of livestock, there are expectations to support problem-solving optimal technologies concerning diseases, odor, and productivity. The distribution of breeding models by livestock type and category will be expanded (from 10 to 20), and it is anticipated that a smart livestock big data platform will also be established (October). For open fields, efficiency is expected to be improved through the mechanization of farming operations centered on major production areas. Plans include expanding the designation of excellent models for mechanizing major production areas of field crops (garlic and onions) (from 6 sites to 15 sites) and operating an automation demonstration site (April, city of Naju).
The Ministry has announced the easing of regulations and strengthening of support for the growth of vertical farms. Vertical farms will be allowed to be installed on farmland within certain areas and their installation in industrial complexes will also be allowed. It is expected that vertical farms will be included in the target registration for agricultural management entities to receive policy support (April). The Ministry also plans to establish the "Development Plan for Smart Farming (including Vertical Farms)" (March) and the "Basic Plan for Fostering Smart Farming" (December) in this regard.
The Ministry plans to strengthen support for the development of the food tech industry and the green bio industry. They announced plans to establish "Food Tech Research Support Centers" to support product development and verification (from 2024 to 2026, at 3 locations). They also revealed plans to expand the dedicated fund to support food tech industry (from US$7.41 million to US$14.81 million[1]) and to initiate new research and development projects (38 projects, US$8.44 million). Regarding the green bio industry, they plan to expand the establishment of research and production hubs (from 9 to 11) and to establish two new advanced material analysis systems. Additionally, The Ministry announced the creation of one additional "Venture Campus," bringing the total to five.
The Ministry plans to achieve a transaction volume of US$370.37 million through the online wholesale market for agricultural products (opened in November 2023, with a turnover of US$3.93 million). They plan to expand the Smart Farmland Distribution Centers (from 14 locations in 2023 to 26 locations in 2024, with a further expansion to 100 locations by 2027) and ensure that all are registered as "sellers" (by March) and foster specialized organizations with an exclusive shipping system (from 26 locations to 35 locations). There are plans to relax the criteria for "seller" registration (currently, the transaction volume is US$3.70 million), and induce expanded participation through incentives such as the “activation of farmland distribution” policies. In 2023, out of 340 companies, there were 114 sellers and 226 buyers. The target for 2024 is 1,917 companies (938 sellers and 979 buyers). Furthermore, the government plans to expand the handling of reserved agricultural products and processed foods in the second half of 2024. They plan to introduce new trading methods such as joint purchasing or long-term reservation trading to improve transaction convenience and user convenience. Additionally, The Ministry announced plans to enhance the platform functions, including the establishment of a decision support system.
The Ministry has announced a restructuring of the research and development system and the activation of technology finance to support the growth of future industries. They plan to develop innovative research and development strategies to focus on "absolutely necessary research," such as institution-specific specialized research and strengthening international collaborative research (March). There are plans to invest research and development budgets intensively in the three major priority areas: Smart Farming, Food Tech, and Green Bio. The investment in the three major priority areas in 2024 is projected to be US$69.70 million, accounting for 43.6% of the agricultural and food research and development budget for 2024. Additionally, the Ministry plans to fully launch the "Agricultural and Food Company Information Provision Platform" (from March), which will provide startup and investment support information, industry trends, and management information to private investors. They also announced plans to establish the basis for a private venture capital fund (the second half of 2024). The initial private venture capital fund is planned to be formed from US$37.04 million and is aimed to reach US$74.07 million by 2027.
Nurturing the youth generation
The Ministry has announced plans to expand support and improve related policies in the areas of farmlands, facilities, and financing to meet the needs of young farmers. They will expand the supply of farmlands to young farmers through various methods such as public lease, rental lease, and lease with subsequent purchase through the Farmland Bank. Four more "rental-type" smart farms (for a maximum of 3 years) will be added targeting graduates of the Innovation Valley Incubation Center (208 annually, for 20 months). This will bring the total to 13 smart farms. Additionally, they plan to increase the scale of the "Succession Farm Manager Support Fund" from US$38.07 million to US$51.04 million, and expand the limit for preferential guarantees for young farmers (95%) from US$0.22 million to US$0.37 million per person, effective from October 2023. The new target for support in the Young Farmer Settlement Support Program will be expanded from 4,000 to 5,000 individuals, and The Ministry also announced plans to establish eight more "Young Farmer Settlement Villages," bringing the total to 17.
The Ministry has announced plans to improve the policies for smooth succession of farms. In order to prevent the division of farmland when transferring the family business, there are plans suggested to relax the requirements for establishing farming cooperatives for family farmers (expected in the second half of 2024). They also announced plans to support the modernization of facilities and technology, as well as the attraction of funds and consulting for the succession of farms.
The Ministry has also announced plans to expand the scope of policy support to include upstream and downstream industries related to agriculture (the Agribiz+). They plan to provide a policy project called "One-Stop Support Service" to support youth startups (starting from June). They will also provide startup consulting in various fields such as agricultural product processing, distribution, marketing, culture, tourism, agricultural machinery, and care services. Additionally, they announced plans to support startups and commercialization by establishing funds for youth (with a scale of US$148.15 million).
K-Food+ Export expansion and expansion into emerging markets such as the Middle East
The Ministry has announced its goal to achieve US$10 billion in agricultural and food exports through quality enhancement, logistics system modernization, and exploring new markets. They have stated their intention to pursue specialized strategies for each product, such as variety development for cultivating "the next strawberry," and to establish a specialized logistics system to improve freshness. Additionally, they plan to support market entry into new regions such as Halal and Central and South America, as well as realize market development through collaboration between large and small enterprises. Efforts will also be made to host the first “International Gourmet Festival” and to expand the number of "Excellent Overseas Korean Restaurants." In 2023, 13 "Excellent Overseas Korean Restaurants" were selected in cities such as New York, Paris, and Tokyo, with plans to add London in 2024. There are plans to select a total of up to 30 restaurants.
The Ministry has also announced its goal to achieve US$3.5 billion in exports in the upstream and downstream industries related to agriculture through the expansion of smart farm package exports and so on. Following the visit by the President to the Middle East in 2023, during which 7 corporate MOUs were signed, the ministry plans to provide close support through the "One-Stop Export/Contract Support Team" to ensure that these MOUs result in export contracts and actual orders. They plan to establish a demonstration greenhouse in Saudi Arabia (by 2025) and expand the designation of "Smart Farm Priority Support Trade Offices" in the Middle East and other regions (four new offices). Additionally, to support market development in countries where GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) is mandatory, such as China, the ministry plans to introduce a GMP system for animal medical devices for export companies.
The Ministry has announced its plan to expand the dissemination of agricultural technology overseas through the full-scale implementation of the 'K-Rice Belt'. They plan to expand rice seed production to 3,000 tons in seven countries (410 ha) (2,000 tons in 2023). They will select demonstration villages for seed supply in Ghana, Senegal, etc., and plan to demonstrate the superiority of K-seeds compared to local varieties. On the other hand, they have announced plans to promote the expansion of K-farm machinery supply through a support ODA (Official Development Assistance) project for used farm machinery. They will initiate a new project in Senegal in 2024 to support the provision and establishment of a repair center for used farm machinery (US$0.74 million).
Establishment of income and business security for farming households and enhancement of food security
Establishment of robust income and business security for farming households
The Ministry has announced plans to establish a Korea-specific income and business security net. To alleviate the instability of farm income, there are plans to expand the income support system by expanding crop insurance and other income support systems. The plan is to expand the number of items eligible for crop insurance benefits from 7 in July 2023 to around 10 by 2024. They have also stated that they will improve the method of assessing harvest volume and establish relevant legal grounds. Additionally, there are plans to increase the direct payment unit price for small farmers from US$889, an increase of US$74. They have also announced plans to expand the “Selection-based Direct Payment”, including increasing the “Landscape Conservation Direct Payment” from US$7.33 million to US$12.44 million. They plan to establish a "Basic Plan for Public-Benefit Direct Payment" to complement the "Basic Direct Payment" and expand the "Selection-based Direct Payment" (2nd half of 2024).
The Ministry has also announced plans to strengthen risk management in response to agricultural disasters. They plan to expand the items and regions eligible for benefits from “Crop Disaster Insurance” (from 70 items and 47 regions in 2023 to 73 items and 56 regions in 2024). Additionally, they will devise improvement measures for agricultural disaster recovery support, such as implementing realistic damage recovery unit prices or adding new support items.
The Ministry has announced plans to ease the financial burden on farming households, such as fertilizer, feed, and fuel costs, and to expand the supply of agricultural labor. A project will be initiated to support the price difference resulting from the increase in the price of inorganic fertilizers (US$21.33 million). Additionally, there are plans to promote the provision of livestock feed purchase funds (US$740.74 million, interest rate 1.8%). They have also announced plans to provide fuel subsidies for facility farms (US$5.19 million). Furthermore, they will expand the allocation of foreign labor and also expand the number of public-type seasonal labor centers (from 19 centers to 70 centers). There are plans to construct additional worker dormitories (10 facilities), and in the first half of 2024, they plan to improve the lodging installation requirements. Specifically, they will increase the maximum area of farmers’ housing within farmland for the installation of worker lodging (from 660㎡/household to 1,000).
Establishment of a robust food security system
The Ministry has announced plans to strengthen the self-sufficiency base of major grains such as rice, wheat, and beans. They plan to increase the unit price of the “Strategic Crop Direct Payment” and expand the range of items eligible. They plan to expand floury rice production sites to 10,000 hectares, producing 50,000 tons (2,000 hectares and 10,000 tons in 2023). They will encourage the development of new floury rice products for the food and catering industries and support the expansion of floury rice consumption by helping to replace wheat flour. Additionally, the Ministry plan to expand wheat and bean specialized production sites and storage, and establish consumption bases by supporting related product development.
The Ministry has announced plans to strengthen proactive demand-supply management and promote the stability of rice demand-supply through demand expansion. They will establish a three-level rice demand-supply stabilization system, including inducing appropriate production before planting, proactive supply control during growth, and post-harvest supplementation measures. Specifically, they plan to establish a scientific rice demand-supply prediction system in the second half of 2024. Furthermore, they plan to strengthen demand-supply stability by expanding food aid and public stockpiles from 400,000 tons to 450,000 tons. They also plan to increase the support price for the "Thousand Won Breakfast" to 2,000 won and expand the target (from 144 schools and a budget of US$1.85 million in 2023 to 186 schools and a budget of US$6.93 million in 2024). They also plan to promote rice consumption by expanding exports of the top 10 processed products (from 217 million dollars in 2023 to 234 million dollars in 2024).
The Ministry has announced plans to strengthen the management of agricultural production infrastructure, including the safety management of agricultural irrigation facilities. They plan to expand investment for irrigation facility maintenance (from US$482.96 million to US$552.59 million). They also stated that they will enhance the design standards for drainage facilities and expand drainage fields and channels (US$274.07 million to US$336.30 million). Additionally, they announced plans to install flood forecasting and warning systems, as well as remote operation equipment, utilizing ICT (Information and Communication Technology).
Enhancement of environmental and ecological functions and scientific demand-supply management for agricultural and livestock industries
Autonomous and proactive supply management based on demand-supplyprediction
The Ministry announced its intention to strengthen cooperation among producer organizations, local governments, and the central government to mitigate the volatility of prices for key vegetables and fruits. They plan to expand the coverage of crops subject to pre-management of appropriate cultivation areas (garlic and onions from July to December in 2023, with additional winter radishes) and increase the number of participating local governments from 3 to 6. Additionally, they intend to improve the related policies by increasing the subsidy ratio to encourage participation in the "Vegetable Price Stability Scheme." They also stated plans to proactively address cold damage and other risks through the operation of the “growth management committees” for apple and pear. Furthermore, they aim to develop "medium to long-term competitiveness enhancement measures for the fruit industry" considering climate change, including expanding disaster prevention facilities.
The Ministry also announced plans to improve the livestock demand-supply management system. They stated their intention to refine the "demand-supply control manual" for pre-production adjustment, with a main contribution by the Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) producer organization. Additionally, they plan to enhance the Hanwoo outlook system to reflect management and consumption rather than just supply aspects such as slaughter and rearing. Lastly, they expressed their commitment to devising measures to strengthen the functions of livestock self-help organizations in enhancing the stability of the demand-supply of major livestock products.
Promotion of environmentally friendly agriculture and livestock industries and prevention of livestock diseases
The Ministry announced plans to expand environmentally friendly and low-carbon farming practices and to promote renewable energy in rural areas. They plan to implement the "Carbon Neutral Program," which provides direct payments for low-carbon farming (KRW9 billion). It is planned to mandate the installation of greenhouse gas reduction facilities in composting facilities supported by the government for appropriate treatment of livestock manure (April). There are plans to expand the scope of low-carbon livestock certification targets (from Hanwoo to include pork and milk) and to distribute feed that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, aiming to practice carbon reduction in the livestock sector (from the first quarter of 2024). Additionally, to promote energy transition in the agriculture and rural sectors, they will commence experimental farming-based solar power projects utilizing reclaimed land (300kW). Four additional “rural energy self-sufficient villages” will be developed (total of 12).
The Ministry announced plans to strengthen the production base of environmentally friendly agriculture and livestock industries, diversify distribution channels, and promote consumption. They stated their intention to develop a "direct payment revision plan" to expand the production of environmentally friendly agricultural and livestock products (second half of 2024). They plan to designate areas with a high proportion of environmentally friendly agriculture as “concentrated zones” and support them as production hubs by providing facilities, equipment, consulting services, etc. (from 36 to 51 sites). They also announced their intention to conduct year-round campaigns to promote the consumption of environmentally friendly agricultural products in collaboration with self-help organizations and large retailers.
The Ministry announced plans to strengthen farm accountability and expand private sector participation in improving the livestock disease control system. They plan to implement special management measures for 18 cities and counties with a high number of egg-laying farms to ensure stable egg demand-supply. Additionally, they stated their intention to expand the utilization of private sector experts in inspection, disinfection, and pest control activities.
Transformation of rural areas into living, working, and recreational spaces through rural restructuring
Vitalization of rural economy through the utilization of diverse resources
The Ministry announced plans to revise relevant regulations to facilitate the influx of external population and capital into rural areas. They plan to conduct a survey on vacant houses in rural areas (US$1.85 million) and operate a vacant house bank in collaboration with private platforms. They also intend to improve related regulations, such as relaxing the housing size restrictions, to promote the activation of rural homestays. Additionally, they stated plans to introduce measures for setting up "self-regulatory innovation zones" to provide special tax breaks for “second house” in rural areas at risk of depopulation (second half of 2024).
The Ministry announced plans to relax regulations to meet the diverse demands of urban residents for agricultural land. They stated their intention to allow the establishment of "rural stay shelters" where urban residents or weekend farming experience participants can temporarily reside. They also announced plans to revise the Farmland Act through consultations with stakeholders such as farmers, experts, and local governments, as well as through discussions with relevant ministries (second half of 2024).
The Ministry announced plans to improve related regulations to enable the utilization of various resources such as food and tourism for businesses. They stated their intention to support the initial growth of businesses certified under the "Rural Complex Industry" by providing startup funds and expanding special exemptions for facility installation. They plan to encourage villages and travel agencies to jointly sell and operate "specialized tourism products" (20 locations). Additionally, they announced plans to support the activation of "Rural-Style Work-cation" through private sector collaboration.
Establishment of comprehensive rural spatial planning and improvement of residential conditions
The Ministry announced plans to establish and finalize the institutionalization of the “Rural Spatial Plan” at the city and county level. They plan to develop a national 10-year basic policy for the “Rural Spatial Plan”. Additionally, they plan to enact or revise subordinate regulations and relevant laws in line with the implementation of the "Rural Spatial Restructuring Act."
Furthermore, the ministry intends to promote a new “rural agreement system” centered around the "Rural Spatial Plan." They aim to continuously expand rural agreements to support rural regeneration (from 75 to 95 agreements). They also plan to develop new "Rural Agreement System Improvement Measures" that integrate and support related projects under the "Rural Spatial Plan."
The Ministry also stated plans to expand welfare services in rural areas using ICT. They plan to pilot non-face-to-face medical consultations and strengthen the delivery system for life services using smart transportation models. Additionally, they will introduce a new "Rural Mobile Health Bus Program" in collaboration with medical organizations or clinics to provide medical services such as traditional Korean medicine, dentistry, and ophthalmology to medically underserved rural areas (US$2.37 million). They also announced plans to expand special health check-ups for female farmers (30,000 individuals in 50 cities and counties).
Achieving advanced level of animal welfare and promoting pet-related industries
Phasing out dog neat consumption and strengthening animal welfare
The Ministry has announced plans to transition South Korea into a nation that no longer consumes dog meat by the year 2027. They plan to conduct relevant surveys and establish a "Basic Plan for Ending Dog Meat Consumption" to assess the current status of the industry, provide support measures, establish protection measures for dogs whose ownership has been relinquished, and develop yearly implementation plans. Additionally, they have stated their intention to solidify support measures for dog farming households through communication with related industries. Specifically, they will support facility demolition and industry conversion, and plan to provide additional support measures to facilitate the resumption of economic activities among dog farming households.
The Ministry has announced plans to promote improvements in areas where animal welfare is vulnerable, such as illegal animal businesses. They plan to expand punishment for animal abuse, strengthen business management, and reform the medical system, as part of the mid-to-long-term direction for animal welfare outlined in the "3rd Comprehensive Animal Welfare Plan (2025-2029)."
Additionally, the ministry has stated its commitment to preventing dog attacks and easing conflicts caused by aggressive dogs. They plan to implement new regulations related to aggressive dog ownership, including a permit system for keeping aggressive dogs (mandatory permit for those wishing to keep aggressive dogs) and an assessment system to evaluate the aggressiveness of dogs. They also announced plans to establish and implement a national qualification system for pet behavior trainers.
Promotion of pet-related industries and improvement of the animal healthcare system
The Ministry has announced plans to foster the pet-related industry by establishing specialized policies and infrastructure. They plan to prepare a "Pet-related Industry Promotion Law (tentative)" in the second half of 2024 to systematically promote the industry. This law will include provisions for enhancing exports of pet-related products, fostering venture companies, providing investment support, designating special zones for the industry, and cultivating talents with integrated skills. Additionally, they have announced plans to create a "One-Welfare Valley" for researching pet products and services. They also intend to strengthen support for market exploration in promising export markets for pet food, such as Southeast Asia.
Furthermore, the ministry aims to improve transparency and professionalism in animal healthcare and alleviate the financial burden on pet owners. To enhance the rights to know and choices of pet caregivers, they plan to standardize veterinary care and expand "pre-treatment information disclosure" measures. They will also establish a system for specialized veterinarians (specialization by medical field) and advanced-level animal hospitals (secondary animal hospitals) to meet the demand for professional animal healthcare by December. Lastly, they will develop a "Mid-to-Long-Term Development Plan for Animal Health Practitioners" by December to establish and expand the role of animal health practitioners, establish a standardized education curriculum, reform the evaluation and certification system for institutions training animal health practitioners, and improve the national qualification examination system for animal health practitioners.
CONCLUSION
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has outlined an ambitious work plan for 2024 to create an inclusive and future-oriented agricultural and rural environment. This year, leveraging regulatory innovation and removing barriers between ministries and the private sector, the Ministry plans to focus on five key tasks to achieve outcomes and address agricultural field issues: transforming agriculture into a future-oriented growth industry through digital transformation and technological innovation, establishing income stability and management safety nets for farmers, strengthening scientific demand-supply management, converting rural areas into spaces for living, working, and leisure, and achieving advanced-level animal welfare while nurturing pet-related industries.
REFERENCES
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. (2024). Major Policy Plans for 2024 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
[1] Exchange rate applied here is US$1 = KRW1,350 hereafter.