(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Yoon-gu = Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryeong announced on the 11th that the transaction amount for next year's online wholesale market for agricultural, livestock, and fishery products will reach 1.5 trillion won. Minister Song stated this during the President's work report held at the Government Complex Sejong, emphasizing efforts to reform the distribution of agricultural and livestock products. This year, the transaction amount target of 1 trillion won was achieved early last month. Minister Song also said, "We will strengthen competition in the wholesale market and increase its public nature." He added that the related bill has passed the standing committee. Minister Song said, "We will make it possible for consumers to know the prices through a frugal consumption information app next year." He said, "We will strengthen the care for the nation's food," and "Next year, we will enact the Food Security Act, expand the cultivation of grains other than rice, expand the consumption base, and increase the self-sufficiency rate." Minister Song announced that the export of "K-Food Plus," which combines agricultural and food products with related industries, will be expanded to 15 billion dollars. He said that he will strengthen the safety net for advanced-country-level farm household income management and support the cultivation of young agricultural talent. Regarding the rural basic income project, he said, "We will start a pilot project in 10 counties next year" and "lead the virtuous cycle of the regional economy." Minister Song also announced that he will push for the systematization of farming-type solar power and the creation of sunlight income villages. Minister Song proposed the reform of the Agricultural Cooperatives as one of the reform issues. He said, "The reform of the Agricultural Cooperatives will strengthen democratic control over the Agricultural Cooperatives" and "a high-intensity special audit is underway." He further stated that the government's supervisory function will be strengthened, "the transparency of the funds and personnel management of the Central Agricultural Cooperatives will be increased, and the cooperatives will improve the control and governance structure." ykim@yna.co.kr