Deadline Extended for Winter Crop Payments; 10% Penalty for Unreported Farm Changes.

By Kim Ji-seop

Farmers who planted strategic crops such as wheat, barley, and forage on their rice paddies must apply for direct payments by the 24th of this month. Additionally, starting this year, direct payments will be reduced by 10% for those who fail to register changes to their agricultural management entities despite altering their farming information.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 1st that it has extended the application period for the winter strategic crop direct payment, originally set to end on the 3rd, by three weeks until the 24th. This decision considers the delayed start of the application period due to the Lunar New Year holiday and the increased burden on local government officials from wildfire prevention and quarantine duties.

The strategic crop direct payment is provided to farmers who cultivate strategic crops on rice paddies to stabilize rice supply and demand and enhance food self-sufficiency. Winter crops eligible include wheat (1,000,000 Korean won per hectare) and food and feed crops such as barley, rye, oats, and forage (500,000 Korean won per hectare). Applications for summer crops are accepted until May 29th.

Farmers engaged in double cropping must pay special attention. Those who plant wheat or forage in winter and cultivate legumes, powdered rice, or forage in summer can receive an additional double cropping incentive of 1,000,000 Korean won per hectare. To qualify, they must apply separately for the winter crop direct payment in addition to the summer crop application. Applications can be submitted by visiting the Community Service Center in the township, town, or district where the farmland is located or online via Nong-e-ji, nongupez.go.kr.

Furthermore, the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service announced that starting this year, public interest direct payments will be reduced by 10% for those who fail to fulfill their obligation to update agricultural management entity registration information. This applies to farmers who have not registered changes despite alterations in farmland area or crop types. The agency will operate a regular change reporting period for summer crops from April 1st to June 30th. All farmers who have experienced changes in their registered information, including those cultivating summer crops such as rice, apples, pears, grapes, peppers, and beans, must report these changes. Change reports can be submitted by visiting a nearby National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service support office or branch, applying online via Nong-e-ji, or contacting the call center at 1644-8778.

Published Date: April 1, 2026