Research Reports
Evaluation of New Farmer Fostering Program
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AuthorMa, Sangjin
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Publication Date2010.12.01
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Original
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the new farmer fostering program of the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries which began in 1981. For the purpose, the study utilized literature review, expert panel, surveys and case studies. The study reviewed the history of the fostering program, the current operating system of the program, the program evaluation model and domestic and foreign cases of human resource related programs. Problems and needs of the current program and information on program evaluation index development were investigated with several expert panels. To collect quantitative and qualitative evaluation data, a survey of 1224 beneficiaries of the new farmer fostering program and 528 ordinary farmers was carried out in addition to case studies of three local communities in Incheon Ganghwa, Jeonbuk Gimje, and Gyeongbuk Sangju.
The new farmer fostering program could be divided into three periods in terms of program goal, budget size, and characteristics: the introduction period (1980s), the development period (1990s), and the adjustment period (2000s). The total budget input during the 30 years was 6,352 billion won in current value, which provided financial support to 130,073 farmers, of which 91.89 percent is operating their farms. The farmer fostering program has positive impact on individual farms with respect to farm size, agricultural income, farmer's self-efficacy, and social relationship; but it also has the effect of increasing the debt (growth). This program had positive impact on regional agricultural gross product per farm and agricultural gross national product. However, this program has the following problems: gradual weakening of economic incentive to induce new farmers; inflexible regional quota; inappropriate selection time; separate supervision with respect to selection of new farmers, lending, and management of new farmers; and lack of support for developing farmer competency.
For the development of this program, this study suggested that the program should be a human workforce development program rather than a funding program and that it should focus more on public good than personal growth. Specifically, this study proposes the following measures: ① make the selection of new farmers a regional event; ② assist capital build-up of new farmers who lack farm background; ③ promote support organizations to provide exclusive assistance to new farmers; ④ operate a permanent program evaluation system; and ⑤ provide support to lay down a foundation through which the private sector can lead the fostering of new farmers.
Researchers: Sang-Jin Ma, Dae-Sik Park, Kang-Ho Kim
Research period: 2010. 7. - 2010. 12.
E-mail address: msj@krei.re.kr
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