On the 21st, the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation’s Nonghyup Economic Research Institute held a ‘Discussion on Agricultural Food Voucher Business Revitalization Plan’ jointly with So Byeong-hoon, chairman of the National Assembly’s Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock, Food, Marine and Fisheries Committee, at the National Assembly Members’ Hall in Seoul.
This forum was prepared to examine the dietary problems of the vulnerable and the need to promote agricultural food vouchers, and to discuss issues and solutions that may arise during the project.
First, in the topic presentation, two experts gave presentations on the dietary life of the vulnerable, the need to promote agricultural food vouchers, operational issues, and ways to activate them.
Kim Yong-ji, a researcher at the Korea Rural Economic Institute, mentioned the inefficiency of the current food support project and the possibility that beneficiaries would use cash support for purposes other than food, and insisted that the agricultural food voucher project be promoted to improve the problems of the current system. did.
Lee Ji-yong, a professor at Kangwon National University, pointed out the decline in the use of agricultural food vouchers due to the limited support items, the problem of concentration of demand for specific items, and the problem of food accessibility due to restrictions on use. As an alternative, she suggested improving effectiveness by preparing an efficient promotion system, increasing policy satisfaction through expanding items, and achieving practical effects through linking dietary life education.
Following the presentation, regarding 30 participants, including experts from academia, consumer groups, and government officials, attended the general discussion to continue discussions on revitalizing the agri-food voucher business, including ways to expand support items and increase the rate of use.
Chairman So Byeong-hoon said, “As food security and other food issues have emerged as important issues for mankind in the future, I ask that you join forces so that income inequality does not lead to inequality in dietary life.” I will not spare it,” he said.
Lee Seong-hee, chairman of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, also said, “In order to improve access to food for the underprivileged and to alleviate the difficulties of farmers who are suffering from rising prices of agricultural materials, it is necessary for the agri-food voucher business to be established quickly.” I hope it will be the starting point for strengthening food welfare policies linked to agriculture,” he emphasized.
Reporter Jeong Jin-soo of Donga.com brjeans@donga.com