Farmer and Fisher Opportunity Income (농어민 기회소득)
Farmer and Fisher Opportunity Income is a Gyeonggi Province sectoral cash transfer that compensates registered farmers and fishers for the public/social value their work creates. Young, returning, and eco-certified farmers/fishers receive 150,000 KRW/month (paid as 900,000 KRW twice yearly) and general farmers/fishers receive 50,000 KRW/month (paid as 300,000 KRW twice yearly), disbursed entirely in city/county local currency (region-specific prepaid cards). Launched in 2024 with 9 municipalities and about 9,400 recipients, it expanded to 25 municipalities and about 192,000 recipients in 2025, and to 26 of Gyeonggi's 31 cities/counties (Guri newly joined) covering about 195,000 recipients in 2026. Five urban municipalities (Goyang, Seongnam, Anyang, Bucheon, Gwacheon) have opted out, citing the 50/50 provincial-municipal cost-matching burden and limited local agricultural bases. It is one of several Gyeonggi 'Opportunity Income' programs (alongside Artist, Athlete, and Youth Basic Income) launched under Governor Kim Dong-yeon.
Sectoral Basic Income, Agriculture, Fisheries, South Korea, Local Currency, Provincial Government, Opportunity Income, Tiered Benefit
Headquarters
- Organization Name
- Gyeonggi Provincial Government
- City
- Suwon
- State / Province
- Gyeonggi-do
- Country
- South Korea
Contact
- Website
- https://farmbincome.gg.go.kr
- Phone
- +82 31 250 2755
Status & Funding
- Organization status
- Active
- Program status
- Active
- Application status
- Timed
- Number of recipients
- 195,000
- Funding type
- Government
Benefits
- Currency Type
- Fiat
- Total Amount
- 1,800,000
- Avg. Per Month
- 150,000
- Payment frequency
- Variable
- How long the program lasts
- 12 months
- Ongoing / unconditional
- Yes
- Distribution Type
- Local/regional currency prepaid card (지역화폐 카드) — existing card is topped up, or a blank card is issued to those without one
- Benefit details
Two tiers: (1) Young farmers/fishers (under 50), returning farmers/fishers (within 5 years of return, age 65 or under), and eco-certified farmers/fishers (organic/animal-welfare/premium seafood certification) receive 150,000 KRW/month, paid as 900,000 KRW in June and 900,000 KRW in December (1,800,000 KRW/year max, ~$1,221 USD/year at July 2026 rates). (2) General farmers/fishers receive 50,000 KRW/month, paid as 300,000 KRW in June and 300,000 KRW in December (600,000 KRW/year, ~$407 USD/year). All payments are in municipal local currency, usable only within the issuing city/county, with a 180-day spending window after which unused funds are automatically clawed back.
Eligibility
Overview
- Eligibility details
Applicant must be registered with an agricultural or fishery business entity (경영체 등록) and have farmed/fished continuously for at least 1 year. Must have lived continuously in the applying city/county for 1+ year (or non-continuously in Gyeonggi Province for 2+ years); returning farmers/fishers are exempt from the residency requirement. Off-farm/non-farming annual income must be under 37,000,000 KRW. Applicant must reside in one of the 26 participating Gyeonggi municipalities (5 opted out: Goyang, Seongnam, Anyang, Bucheon, Gwacheon).
Financial
- Income limit (annual household)
- $37,000,000
- Employment status
- Self-Employed
Citizenship
- Minimum Years In Jurisdiction
- 1 years
Geography
- Countries covered
- South Korea
- Cities covered
- 26 of Gyeonggi Province's 31 cities/counties (2026): Yongin, Paju, Hwaseong, Namyangju, Ansan, Pyeongtaek, Siheung, Gimpo, Uijeongbu, Gwangju, Hanam, Gwangmyeong, Gunpo, Yangju, Osan, Icheon, Anseong, Uiwang, Pocheon, Dongducheon, Guri, plus others, NOT participating: Goyang, Seongnam, Anyang, Bucheon, Gwacheon
- Counties covered
- Yangpyeong-gun, Yeoju-si/gun, Gapyeong-gun, Yeoncheon-gun (participating rural counties)
- Residency of Target Geography
- Yes
- Minimum Years A Resident of Target Geography
- 1 years
Application Process
- How to apply
Apply online via the Gyeonggi Farmer/Fisher Opportunity Income integrated support system (farmbincome.gg.go.kr) or in person at the industry team (산업팀) of the applicant's local eup/myeon/dong (township/neighborhood) administrative welfare center or city/county/district office. Application windows are staggered and set individually by each of the 26 participating municipalities; 2026 applications opened March 3, 2026, starting with Yongin and Paju.
- Selection process
Not competitive — eligibility is administratively verified against the agricultural/fishery business registry (경영체 등록), residency records, and income data; applicants who meet all criteria (registration, residency, farming/fishing duration, income limit) are approved and enrolled by the relevant city/county.
