Geochang County Selected as Excellent Institution for Promoting Eco-friendly Ecological Agriculture in Gyeongnam City and County Evaluation

Expansion of Certified Eco-friendly Agricultural Land, Eco-friendly Education, Promotion of Consumption, and Securing National and Local Government Budgets

Geochang County, Gyeongnam Province, announced on the 24th that it has been selected as an excellent institution in the '2024 Gyeongnam Province Eco-friendly Ecological Agriculture Promotion Outstanding City/County Evaluation.'

The Eco-friendly Ecological Agriculture Promotion Outstanding City/County Evaluation is an award given by Gyeongsangnam-do to cities and counties that have led eco-friendly agriculture with creativity. The evaluation quantitatively assesses local governments' efforts based on criteria such as ▲certified area of eco-friendly agricultural products ▲eco-friendly education ▲promotion of consumption ▲securing national and provincial budgets.

Geochang County Selected as an Excellent Institution for Eco-Friendly Ecological Agriculture Promotion in Gyeongnam Province City and County Evaluation and Awarded.

Geochang County has set a goal to foster 1,000 eco-friendly farms by 2030 and, for the first time this year, established a new Eco-friendly Agriculture Department at the Geochang Green Agriculture College with a 20-session curriculum. In addition, various policies are being implemented to support eco-friendly farmers, including direct payments for eco-friendly agriculture, soil improvement agents, organic fertilizers, full support for eco-friendly certification fees, and assistance for production, processing, and distribution facilities as well as organic farming materials.

In particular, Geochang County plans to create a 18 billion KRW organic complex at Changpowon in Geochang by 2027. The complex will feature an eco-friendly agricultural product-based restaurant, cafe, local store, and organic experience garden, making it easier for consumers to access eco-friendly agricultural products and food. This is expected to encourage value-based consumption and lay the foundation for the expansion of a sustainable organic industry.

As of January 2024, 471 farms in Geochang County have received pesticide-free or organic certification for 253 items. The certified area has expanded to 790 hectares, a 1.6-fold increase compared to 491 hectares in 2019, making it the largest in Gyeongnam Province in terms of area.

County Governor Koo Inmo said, "I would like to thank all the eco-friendly farmers who continue to practice eco-friendly agriculture despite the difficult conditions of the climate crisis. We will do our best to provide various policies and institutional support to ensure the sustainability of eco-friendly agriculture."

Meanwhile, Geochang County previously received the Encouragement Award in 2019 and the Grand Prize in 2021 in the Eco-friendly Ecological Agriculture Promotion Outstanding City/County Evaluation.