Choo Mi-ae: "Agriculture is an Alternative in Era of Climate Crisis...I Will Focus on Investment in Farmers"

Gyeonggi Province held the '31st Gyeonggi Province Farmers Day Commemoration' at the Dasan Hall and Damdeul Garden of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government on the 6th.

Governor Choo Mi-ae, who attended the event, stated, "Like the slogan for the 9th term of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government, agriculture should be re-evaluated in this era of climate crisis and is also a sector that we should invest in. To re-evaluate agriculture with a new perspective, there must be livelihood protection and consistent investment for agriculture and those who have protected it," she emphasized.

Governor Choo added, "My late father-in-law was at the forefront in the field of agricultural and food science. During the Kim Dae-jung administration, working with Minister Kim Sung-hoon, I directly led the initiative to first draft and pass direct payment subsidies as an achievement." She demonstrated her interest in agriculture.

The event was organized ahead of Farmers Day on November 11 to enhance farmers' pride and reflect on the precious values of agriculture and rural areas. The event was attended by approximately 300 people, including Governor Choo, provincial assembly members, agricultural organizations and related government officials.

At the commemoration ceremony, three individuals—Park Je-bong, head of Anyang Horticulture Agricultural Cooperative; Kim Jun-sik, advisor of the Gyeonggi Province Eco-Friendly Farmers Association; and Kim Geum-soon, a farmer from Gapyeong County—received Presidential Commendations for their contributions to agricultural development. Jung Jae-young, chairman of the Korean Rural Leaders Anseong City Federation, received a Prime Minister's Commendation.

The '33rd Gyeonggi Province Agricultural and Fisheries Awards,' presented to farmers and fishermen who have contributed to improving competitiveness in agriculture and fisheries and developing agricultural and fishing communities, honored 15 recipients in 15 categories.

The award winners are: ▲Grain Crops Baek Seung-jae, Hwaseong City ▲Horticultural Crops Choi Jong-hwan, Yeoju City ▲Special Crops Jeon Myeong-su, Paju City ▲Fisheries Kim Nam-hee, Ansan City ▲Forestry Jo Dong-pyo, Namyangju City ▲Korean Cattle Kim Sang-hyun, Gapyeong County ▲Dairy and Beef Cattle Shim Hwa-seop, Paju City ▲Swine Farming Kim Hak-hyun, Pyeongtak City ▲Poultry and Other Livestock An Han-jin, Pocheon City ▲Women Farmers and Fishermen Yang Soon, Icheon City ▲Young Farmers and Fishermen Jung Ki-yoon, Yeoncheon County ▲Agricultural and Fishing Community Revitalization Moon Bu-heung, Gapyeong County ▲Jobs and Food Kim Min-jun, Yeoju City ▲Life Science Nam Jeong-su, Anseong City ▲Carbon Neutrality and Environmental Agriculture Gong Byung-gwon, Pyeongtak City.

Following the commemoration ceremony, Governor Choo Mi-ae visited 'Doraemi Market,' a direct sales marketplace for agricultural products held at Damdeul Garden, where she purchased agricultural specialties directly produced by farmers in the province and encouraged the farmers.

The campaign promoted by the Gyeonggi Province Agriculture and Fisheries Promotion Agency will hold a 30% discount event from the 6th to the 23rd at Doraemi Market, local food direct sales stores, and online retailers to support the sale of pears that have cosmetic blemishes but are safe for consumption.

Governor Choo Mi-ae then participated in a 'Kimchi Sharing Event' organized by the Gyeonggi Province Farmers Organization Council, making kimchi alongside farmers and practicing neighborly love.