Agriculture eZ: A Comprehensive Guide to Government Support Programs for Farmers [knowledge term]

The government offers a variety of agricultural support programs, yet many farmers struggle to access the necessary information on available programs and application processes. As a result, they often miss out on valuable opportunities. To address this issue, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) launched the ‘Agriculture eZ’ system in December 2024, providing farmers with a personalized digital service.

Agriculture eZ is a platform designed to allow farmers to easily browse government support programs at a glance. Based on individual farm management data, the system automatically recommends relevant agricultural support programs. As implied by its name, ‘eZ’ aims to enhance accessibility by leveraging online services.

The most significant feature of Agriculture eZ is its personalized approach. Previously, farmers had to visit government offices for consultations or download complex business guidelines to understand available support programs. Now, with Agriculture eZ, they can simply verify their registered farm management data and receive tailored program recommendations. The platform integrates data on farmers’ demographics, such as age and gender, to identify eligibility and suggest the most suitable agricultural programs.

Moreover, Agriculture eZ streamlines administrative procedures for government officials. It simplifies the process of inputting and verifying application documents and enhances efficiency through geographic information system (GIS) technology, allowing for remote validation of agricultural sites via aerial and satellite imagery.

There have been similar initiatives in the past, such as Agrix, an agricultural business information system launched by MAFRA in 2005. However, Agrix was primarily designed for government officials, limiting its usability for farmers. To address this limitation, the ministry embarked on a digital transformation initiative in 2022, securing a budget of 122.6 billion KRW in 2024 to develop a more farmer-centric platform. The Agriculture eZ system was subsequently completed and officially launched on December 2, 2024.

The Agriculture eZ platform now includes over 300 agricultural support programs, such as farm subsidies. Logging into the system is straightforward—registered farmers and agricultural corporations can sign in using mobile phone verification or a simple authentication process. Even unregistered farmers can search for relevant programs using basic keywords. The platform also includes ‘Agriculture eZ Assistant,’ a feature designed to help farmers navigate the system, ensuring accessibility for those less familiar with digital technology.

Currently, Agriculture eZ allows farmers to check their registered farm management information. However, as of July 2025, the platform will support the registration and modification of farm management data, eliminating the need to visit the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service for administrative processing. This change is expected to reduce bureaucratic burdens and enable farmers to focus more on agricultural activities.

Additionally, starting in January 2026, farmers will be able to apply for direct payment subsidies and other agricultural support programs through Agriculture eZ. By July 2026, the platform will also incorporate an agricultural policy decision-making system, including crop supply and demand forecasting.

A MAFRA official stated, “Agriculture eZ is not just an information portal but a comprehensive system for integrating and managing agricultural support programs. It will consolidate farm management, subsidies, compliance monitoring, and policy planning into a unified digital system.”

Launched in December 2024, Agriculture eZ is undergoing a phased rollout, with full implementation expected by 2026. Since its launch over a year ago, the platform has been continuously developed and expanded. By providing farmers with real-time, remote access to personalized support services, the platform aims to revolutionize the way agricultural policies and subsidies are managed. To ensure its successful adoption, the government must continue efforts in promotion, maintenance, and user education.