Seoul City Recruiting Participants for 'Donghaeng Seoul Eco-Friendly Farm' Operation

14 Eco-Friendly Farms with 5,900 Plots for Sale Near Seoul

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 29th that it will operate the 'Donghaeng Seoul Eco-friendly Farm' with a total of 5,900 plots starting in April, and will recruit participants on a first-come, first-served basis from 10 a.m. on the 1st of next month through the Seoul public service reservation system. The eco-friendly farms, open to any Seoul resident, are located in 14 sites in nearby Gyeonggi Province areas including Namyangju-si, Yangpyeong-gun, Gwangju-si, Goyang-si, and Siheung-si, and are expected to provide Seoul citizens with a healthy weekend outing.

The eco-friendly farms, operated from April to November this year, are open to any citizen whose registered address is in Seoul. The annual farm rental fee is 40,000 to 70,000 KRW per plot (16.5㎡) (40,000 KRW for Namyangju, Yangpyeong, and Gwangju; 50,000 KRW for Siheung; 70,000 KRW for Goyang), payable by credit card or virtual account.

The number of plots that each participant can apply for is up to 3 plots in the Namyangju area, which is highly preferred by citizens, and up to 4 plots in other areas. To provide fair participation opportunities, applicants can only apply for one of the 14 farms. Additionally, organizations (institutions) with an address in Seoul can apply for 20 to 40 plots, and final selection will be made considering unsold plots if they apply on the designated dates specified in the recruitment announcement on the city’s website.

Since 2000, the 'Donghaeng Seoul Eco-friendly Farm' operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government has been managed using organic farming methods that do not use chemical fertilizers, synthetic organic pesticides, or vinyl mulching, to support safe food production and provide opportunities for healthy leisure and farming experiences for citizens.

Last year, the city strengthened the leisure and farming experience functions of urban agriculture by incorporating urban garden-related tasks into the Green City Leisure Bureau through organizational restructuring.

The recruitment scale by farm is ▲ Namyangju area 1,305 plots (Songchon Yaksuteo 420, Sambong-ri 285, Sambong Ayang 600), ▲ Yangpyeong area 2,060 plots (Gyodong 580, Buyong-ri 650, Yangsu Gajeong 530, Suneung-ri 300), ▲ Gwangju area 1,265 plots (Gwiyeo-ri 365, Domari 450, Jiwol-ri 450), ▲ Goyang area 990 plots (Seongsadong 280, Suyeok-i 550, Wondang-dong 160), ▲ Siheung area 280 plots (Anhyeon-dong 280).

For further inquiries, detailed guidance can be obtained by contacting the Dasan Call Center or the Seoul City Parks and Leisure Business Division.

Yoo Young-bong, Director of the Seoul Green City Leisure Bureau, said, “The Donghaeng Seoul Eco-friendly Farm will be the optimal place for citizens exhausted by COVID-19 to enjoy healthy leisure and experiences in nature,” adding, “We hope citizens will have the opportunity to grow various organic vegetables such as lettuce for wraps, peppers, and eggplants at eco-friendly farms near Seoul, and in autumn, enjoy the rewarding experience of harvesting well-grown kimchi ingredients like cabbage and radish in abundance.”