The National Assembly approved a supplementary budget of 375.5 billion KRW (≈ $281.6 million USD) to support agricultural damage caused by the Middle East war. During parliamentary deliberations, lawmakers added another 111.8 billion KRW (≈ $83.9 million USD) for fuel, fertilizer, and feed support.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on April 10 that the National Assembly finalized the supplementary budget.
The ministry allocated an additional 52.9 billion KRW (≈ $39.7 million USD) to expand the fuel-linked subsidy for tax-exempt agricultural diesel. Previously limited to greenhouse heating, the subsidy will now cover diesel used in farm machinery—including tractors, combines, and tillers—during the busy season from March through September. Officials also increased the support ceiling for greenhouse heating fuel by 1.6 billion KRW (≈ $1.2 million USD).
Mineral fertilizer support will be strengthened as well. The ministry injected an extra 7.3 billion KRW (≈ $5.5 million USD), raising the per-beneficiary support from a maximum of 100,000 KRW (≈ $75 USD) to 160,000 KRW (≈ $120 USD) and expanding the supported volume from 140,000 metric tons (about 154,300 short tons) to 240,000 metric tons (about 264,600 short tons). The government plans to promote a shift to slow-release fertilizers to curb over-fertilization.
In the feed sector, funding for raw-material purchases by feed manufacturers was increased by 50 billion KRW (≈ $37.5 million USD). Officials said this will help manufacturers secure inputs and reduce upward pressure on feed prices amid rising global grain costs and higher shipping rates.
Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryeong said the additional funding should ease farmers’ burden from higher input prices caused by the Middle East war. She added that the ministry will monitor the situation daily and work closely with relevant agencies and industry to minimize the conflict’s impact on agriculture and related sectors.
