(Jeju=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Ho-cheon = The Jeju Main Office of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation announced on the 1st that it will fully push forward the '2026 Citrus Orchard Thinning Project,' which aims to improve the citrus production base and manage orchards stably. Through this project, which is being jointly promoted by Jeju Province and the Jeju Main Office of the Agricultural Cooperatives Economic & Finance Corporation, thinning participants will receive 2.5 million won per hectare in operation costs and support for agricultural accident insurance premiums. This year, the unit price of the operation costs has been increased by 2,000 won compared to last year to reduce the burden on farmers. To expand the project, the Jeju Main Office of the Agricultural Cooperative Federation will hold a relay thinning ceremony. Thinning work will begin on the 2nd at the farm of Kang Woon-hyup, a member of the Jungmun Agricultural Cooperative, and ceremonies will be held on the 3rd at the farm of Kim Dami, a member of the Jeju Namwon Agricultural Cooperative, and on the 5th at the farm of Kang Seung-heon, a member of the Jeju Citrus Agricultural Cooperative. The thinning ceremony will be attended by Kim Ae-sook, Vice Governor of Jeju Province, the Director of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Lee Chun-hyup, Head of the Jeju Main Office of the Agricultural Cooperative Federation, and heads of various agricultural cooperatives in the province. The total planned area and project cost for thinning this year are 80 hectares and 200 million won, respectively. Thinning of citrus orchards is an essential project to resolve problems such as overproduction and declining quality caused by dense planting. Thinning improves sunlight penetration and ventilation, which increases sugar content, and reduces damage from pests and diseases. Lee Chun-hyup, Head of the Jeju Main Office of the Agricultural Cooperative Federation, said, "Citrus orchard thinning is not a choice to reduce production but an essential project to protect the quality and future value of Jeju citrus. We will create a sustainable citrus industry foundation through support that farmers can feel."