A Study on Farmer's Requisition on Welfare Policy

농업인 복지정책 요구도 분석

The purpose of the present study is to seek measures to increase the quality of farmers lives by considering the results of a survey on the welfare demand for them when setting up policy. The results are as follows: First, though many concerns and policies to control the rural exodus have been exerted in terms of maintaining agricultural communities, which is one of critical components for the development of Korean agriculture and farming villages, the rural exodus became more and more serious. It is urgently required, therefore, for the Korean administration to correspond actively to the reasons why farmers depart their villages, such as bad prospects, low incomes or problems with their children's education. Second, as the number of females who take part in farming has increased, it is necessary to reform the rural educational environment. In addition, as the agricultural community develops, and other industries flow in, the greater the worries about crime, and consequently, it is necessary to equip a local safety system, share information on job opportunities, and provide educational opportunities. Third, since rural districts nay have financial difficulties because of old-aged and small-sized farmhouse, it is necessary to mainly support the welfare of the aged and lower-income farmers, considering the characteristics of each group and area. Fourth, over half of the farmers responded that they cannot bear to pay the national pension and health insurance premiums, and therefore it should be considered to reduce the pension and premium, or to readjust the insurance value appropriate to the level of the farmer's income. Fifth, despite a number of agricultural policies now in place, farmers desire a policy which can promise a prosperous vision for Korean agriculture and the facilities needed for education and health. It is necessary for the administration to set up policies that are characterized by locality with the view that farmers are not mere recipients, but participants in the policies.