[National Audit File] Even with 112.9 billion invested in the past five years... eco-friendly certified farms are decreasing instead

Despite the government's massive budget allocation, there has been a decline in the number of environmentally friendly certified farms and poor management of the certification system, according to a report. According to data submitted to the National Assembly's Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, and Food Committee by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, despite the government's allocation of 112.9 billion won over the past five years, the number of environmentally friendly certified farms decreased by 17.9% from 59,249 in 2020 to 48,668 in 2024. The certified area also decreased from 81,826 hectares to 68,165 hectares over the same period, accounting for 4.5% of the total farmland area. This is less than half of the 10% target set by the government in the fifth five-year plan for promoting environmentally friendly agriculture. The government provided budget support for environmentally friendly direct payments over the past five years, but the policy effect was ...