(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Yoon-gu = The Central Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives and the Korea Rural Economic Institute announced on the 3rd that they have signed a business agreement to jointly respond to structural issues facing rural areas, such as climate change and regional extinction. This is the first time that the Central Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives has established a cooperative system with a policy research institution in the agricultural field. With this agreement, the two organizations plan to ▲ discover policies for regional economic growth and the realization of common values in rural areas ▲ research, exchange, and cooperate on stabilizing the management of farmers and fishermen in response to rural extinction and the climate crisis ▲ provide and cooperate on agricultural and fishing statistics and survey information ▲ share research experiences through the exchange of specialized personnel ▲ strengthen cooperation in rural policy research activities. Kim Ki-seong, the CEO of the Central Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives, said, "We have taken a meaningful first step to jointly respond to the common tasks facing our agricultural and fisheries industry based on research and personnel exchange in the specialized fields of both organizations" and added, "This cooperation will be a meaningful turning point for the sustainable development of rural areas and the future of the agricultural and fisheries industry." Han Doo-bong, the director of the Korea Rural Economic Institute, said, "This agreement will be a valuable opportunity to jointly resolve the crisis situation in rural areas." ykim@yna.co.kr