(무안=브레이크뉴스) 이학수 기자=전남도는 농림축산식품부와 농협중앙회에 건의한 2023년 미곡종합처리장(RPC) 벼 매입자금 대출 상환기간 연장이 반영돼 오는 6월까지였던 벼 매입 자금 5천억 원의 상환이 3개월간 연장된다고 밝혔다.

전남도에 따르면 지난 2월 정부의 쌀값 안정 대책 발표에도 불구하고 가격이 반등하지 않고, 일부 미곡종합처리장에서 벼 매입 자금 상환 기간이 도래함에 따라 대출 상환금 확보를 위해 시중가보다 낮게 판매하는 상황이 연출됐다.

특히 2023년산 전남 농협의 벼 매입량은 52만 8천 톤으로 역대 최대 규모였으며, 최근에는 고물가 상승과 함께 외식업체 폐업률 증가 등으로 쌀 소비가 줄어 농협미곡종합처리장의 재고 부담이 가중되고 있다.

이에 전남도는 지난 4월 17일 쌀값 안정을 위해 2023년 미곡종합처리장벼 매입자금 융자금 대출 상환 기간을 오는 6월까지에서 8월까지로 2개월 연장해줄 것을 농림축산식품부와 농협중앙회에 건의했다.

이번 농협중앙회 벼 매입자금 3개월 연장 발표에 따라 산지농협 미곡종합처리장의 부담이 완화되고, 쌀 적정가격 유지로 가격 상승 및 농가의 안정적 소득 창출이 이뤄질 것으로 기대된다.

정광현 전남도 농축산식품국장은 “벼 매입자금 연장 결정에 따라 농협미곡종합처리장 재정 부담이 줄어 정상적인 산지 쌀값이 형성될 것으로 기대된다”며 “매년 줄어드는 쌀 소비량 감소에 대응해 자체적인 쌀 소비촉진 지원책을 발굴해 추진하겠다”고 말했다.

전남도는 선제적 쌀값 대응을 위해 농협, 민간 미곡종합처리장 관계자와 대책회의를 열어, 수렴된 의견을 토대로 정부에 적극 건의할 방침이다.

아래는 위 기사를 '구글 번역'으로 번역한 영문 기사의 [전문] 입니다. '구글번역'은 이해도를 높이기를 위해 노력하고 있습니다. 영문 번역에 오류가 있을 수 있음을 전제로 합니다. The following is [the full text] of the English article translated by 'Google Translate'. 'Google Translate' is working hard to improve understanding. It is assumed that there may be errors in the English translation.

Extension of repayment period for RPC rice purchase funds at the suggestion of Jeonnam Province

Province, 500 billion won for 3 months... Expected to ease financial burden and maintain reasonable rice prices

(Muan = Break News) Reporter Haksu Lee = Jeonnam Province has reflected the extension of the loan repayment period for rice purchase funds for the Rice Processing Plant (RPC) in 2023 proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, and has reduced the 500 billion won in rice purchase funds that were until June. It was announced that repayment would be extended for three months.

According to South Jeolla Province, despite the government's announcement of rice price stabilization measures in February, prices did not rebound, and as the repayment period for rice purchase funds reached some rice processing plants, a situation was created where they were sold below the market price to secure loan repayments.

In particular, Jeonnam Nonghyup's rice purchase in 2023 was the largest ever at 528,000 tons, and recently, rice consumption has decreased due to rising prices and an increase in the rate of closure of restaurant businesses, increasing the inventory burden at the Nonghyup Rice Processing Plant.

Accordingly, on April 17, South Jeolla Province proposed to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation to extend the loan repayment period for the 2023 rice comprehensive processing plant purchase loan by two months from June to August in order to stabilize rice prices.

With the announcement of a three-month extension of rice purchase funds by the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, the burden on the rice processing plants of agricultural cooperatives in producing areas is expected to be alleviated, and the maintenance of reasonable prices for rice will lead to price increases and stable income generation for farmers.

Jeong Gwang-hyeon, head of the Jeonnam Provincial Livestock, Food and Rural Affairs Bureau, said, “Following the decision to extend the rice purchase fund, we expect that the financial burden at the Nonghyup Rice Processing Plant will be reduced, leading to normal rice prices in production areas.” He added, “In response to the decline in rice consumption each year, we will develop our own support measures to promote rice consumption.” “We will push forward with it,” he said.

In order to preemptively respond to rice prices, South Jeolla Province plans to hold a countermeasures meeting with Nonghyup and private rice processing plant officials and actively make recommendations to the government based on the collected opinions.