Convenience Facilities Including Observation Deck and Rest Area Established at Jungnang Haengbok 3 Farm (Mangu 2ho)

18 Free Plots for Vulnerable Groups, Village Community Garden Jointly Cultivated by Residents Also Operated

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) opened its third farm, Jungnang Happiness 3 Farm (Mangu 2-ho), to residents on the 10th after completing construction.

On the day of the completion ceremony, the farm was opened, and seedlings were distributed to garden plot lessees along with a session on crop cultivation techniques.

Jungnang Happiness 3 Farm (Mangu 2-ho), established on 6,568㎡ (1,986 pyeong) around 113-2 Mangu 3-dong, is the third farm created by the district following the first farm (Sinnae 1-ho) in 2019 and the second farm (Mangu 2-ho) in 2020.

The district installed convenience facilities such as an observation deck, rest area, and restrooms, and planted various scenic crops to create a park-like farm that all residents can comfortably visit, not just those who leased garden plots.

This third farm also conducted its first lease program for vulnerable groups so that more people can enjoy urban agriculture. Among the 119 garden plots for district residents, 18 plots are designated for this group and are free of charge. The general lease of 101 plots requires an annual fee of 30,000 KRW per plot.

Additionally, a new village communal garden of 23 plots cultivated jointly by Mangu 3-dong residents was introduced. Kimchi made from napa cabbage harvested here will be delivered to neighbors in need, such as elderly living alone.

Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said, “Jungnang-gu has about 40% of its total area as green space, making it an ideal city for urban agriculture,” and added, “We will spare no effort to support everything from infrastructure development to resident participation programs so that residents can enjoy urban agriculture close to home.”

Jungnang Happiness Farms have received steady support from residents as they allow people to experience nature in daily life without traveling far. At Sinnae-dong 1 Farm, visitors can find 170 garden plots and a strawberry smart farm that automatically controls the crop cultivation environment, while at Mangu-dong 2 Farm, 25 pear trees are also cultivated.

Last month, the district also distributed 1,000 box garden sets for those who could not lease garden plots.

Meanwhile, to accelerate the activation of urban agriculture, the district will establish a dedicated department, the Urban Agriculture Division, in July, and in October, it will begin construction of an ‘Urban Agriculture Complex Space’ in Cheongnam Park behind Sinnae-dong 1 Farm with a total budget of 3.1 billion KRW. The space will be developed as an urban agriculture hub in northern Seoul, equipped with a community kitchen, book caf?, and agricultural material storage.