CHEONGJU, South Korea – Chungbuk Province has sent 40 urban farmers to Jeju Island to assist with the island's seasonal labor shortage, particularly during the citrus harvest season.

The initiative, known as the "Chungbuk-type urban farmer" program, was launched in 2022 to address the chronic labor shortage in rural areas during peak farming seasons. Participants in the program receive training in farming techniques and are then matched with farms in need of additional labor. In return, they receive a daily wage of approximately 60,000 won (about US$45) for working four hours a day.

This year, the program has expanded to include a larger group of farmers who will be working in Jeju's citrus processing centers for eight hours a day, five days a week, from November 1st to February of the following year. Their tasks will include sorting, cleaning, packaging, and transporting citrus fruits.

Chungbuk Province is the first in South Korea to send a group of urban farmers to another province to assist with agricultural work. The program is seen as a win-win situation, as it provides employment opportunities for urban residents during the off-season while also helping to alleviate the labor shortage in rural areas like Jeju.

"Through this collaboration with Jeju, we are able to alleviate the burden of labor shortages in Jeju during the winter season, while also providing stable employment opportunities for our urban farmers," said Lee Pil-jae, head of the Agricultural Management Team at Chungbuk Province. "We plan to expand our collaboration with Jeju by introducing Jeju specialty products to Chungbuk and promoting Chungbuk's agricultural products in Jeju."

The program is part of a broader effort by the South Korean government to address the aging population and declining rural population in the country. By connecting urban residents with rural communities, the program aims to revitalize rural economies and preserve traditional agricultural practices.