Seoul Urban Agriculture Expo Held at Seoul Cheonggye Plaza on 7-8th

Exhibition of Companion Plants and Healing Gardens, Urban Agriculture Experience, and Various Programs for Citizens
‘Urban Agriculture International Conference’ on the Theme of Transition Era Urban Agriculture Held on 13-14

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 4th that it will hold the '2022 Seoul Urban Agriculture Expo' over two days on the 7th and 8th under the theme 'Green Dreams Built in Seoul.' This expo, which started in 2012 and is now in its 11th edition, was held online for the past two years due to COVID-19, and this year it will be held as an in-person event for the first time in three years.

This expo will cover various topics including emotional healing and recovery through urban agriculture, introducing future food sources, and the development of urban agriculture. The event will take place around Seoul Plaza and Cheonggye Plaza.

At the main venue, Seoul Plaza, various crops that can be cultivated through urban agriculture such as root vegetables, leafy vegetables, and five-colored rice will be exhibited. The Agricultural Technology Center's promotional hall will showcase unique crops that are rarely seen in daily life, such as eggplant, purple chili peppers, and passion fruit.

Visitors can also meet companion plants that share emotional comfort. Recently, companion plants have gained high interest from citizens for helping to alleviate feelings of depression and loneliness. The exhibition will not only display companion plants but also offer engaging activities such as making companion succulents.

Experience events open to all citizens have also been prepared. The theme of this year's experience program is healing through urban agriculture. Programs such as making honey herb soap and herbal scent pouches will be operated to promote emotional stability and recovery among citizens.

In addition, the expo will introduce future food industries such as plant-based alternative meats and insect protein foods, and operate an industrial exhibition where visitors can experience intelligent farms (smart farms).

At Cheonggye Plaza, where side events are held, there will be a direct transaction market selling excellent agricultural and marine products, and an exhibition of works from a design garden contest participated in by citizens. The agricultural direct transaction market will also sell imperfect agricultural products damaged by typhoons, providing an opportunity to support distressed farmers.

Meanwhile, the opening ceremony of the Urban Agriculture Expo will be held on the 7th at the east stage of Seoul Plaza. Following the expo, on the 13th and 14th, the 'Seoul Urban Agriculture International Conference' will be held with experts on healing and food under the theme of urban agriculture in the era of transition. The international conference will be broadcast live on Seoul City's official YouTube channel.

Han Young-hee, Seoul City's Director of Labor, Fairness, and Coexistence Policy, said, “Urban agriculture goes beyond simple cultivation to provide emotional stability and healing effects,” adding, “Through various urban agriculture programs at this expo, we will offer citizens rest and enjoyment during the autumn days.”