Building Goyang-Style Smart Farms for Sustainable Agriculture
Enhancing Local Food and Floriculture Industry Competitiveness to Revitalize the Local Economy
Expanding Infrastructure for the Production and Consumption of Excellent Food
The Agricultural Technology Center of Goyang Special City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Dong-hwan) is set to actively implement sustainable agricultural development policies focused on establishing an agricultural foundation, expanding smart farm distribution, revitalizing local food, strengthening the competitiveness of the floriculture industry, and spreading animal-assisted therapy and healing agriculture.
Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, attending the Kawaji No.1 rice planting demonstration. Provided by Goyang Special City
According to Goyang Special City on the 16th, the city will invest 19 billion KRW in about 140 agricultural subsidy projects this year, including facilities, materials, and direct payments, to expand the management safety net. It will also invest 3.1 billion KRW in maintaining agricultural production infrastructure and disaster prevention. In particular, safety management of soil, residual pesticides, and agricultural water will be strengthened to enhance safety at the agricultural production stage. Additionally, the city plans to systematically process farming by-products to reduce fine dust and pest outbreaks, and expand the number of foreign seasonal workers to 260 to address the shortage of agricultural labor.
Last year, the city invested 2 billion KRW in the distribution of smart farms incorporating advanced technology, introducing ICT (Information and Communication Technology) convergence facilities at 44 sites (13 hectares). Notably, the smart seedling farms shortened the germination period by 60%, significantly improving agricultural production efficiency.
This year, 1.6 billion KRW will be invested to modernize smart farm agriculture and promote vertical farming technology through the convergence and utilization of ICT. Furthermore, by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the city will establish a Hanwoo breeding cow management system, create a disease-free grafted cactus nursery, and conduct research on using coffee grounds compost to reduce cactus diseases.
Meanwhile, the city operates 18 local food direct stores, the most nationwide, recording sales of 100 billion KRW and 4.02 million visitors. This year, the city plans to expand the number of Kim’s Club branches in the metropolitan area from 14 to 19 to broaden the local food market. It will also strengthen the supply of excellent local agricultural and livestock products for school meals and focus on developing traditional foods and food culture education.
Automation of Hanwoo Feed Production Process Using Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Provided by Goyang Special City
Goyang Special City achieved sales of 11 billion KRW last year through the activation of the Goyang floriculture industry special zone. The metropolitan area floriculture comprehensive distribution center recorded 17.1 billion KRW in floriculture auction and wholesale/retail sales. The 2024 Goyang International Flower Expo, which doubled its exhibition area last year, used 80% of flowers from Goyang farms and attracted 320,000 paid visitors.
This year, to strengthen competitiveness, the city will focus on modernizing floriculture production facilities and supporting exports, and continue to hold the international flower expo to enhance the brand of the “City of Flowers.” After registering Ilsan Yeolmu as the first geographical indication (No. 115) nationwide, the city will maintain high quality through thorough management and create a premium rice low-carbon practice production complex to cultivate Kawaji No. 1 rice.
Meanwhile, last year, the city expanded pet parks from 3 to 6 locations to strengthen animal welfare services. The Animal-Assisted Therapy Center also opened, receiving great response with a total of 199 dementia patients and their families completing programs. This year, the city plans to establish a pet adoption center to improve awareness of lost and abandoned animals and promote adoption, and will continue to propose the establishment of a National Animal-Assisted Therapy Park.
Panoramic view of the Capital Region Flower Wholesale Distribution Center. Provided by Goyang Special City
Additionally, the city will activate the operation of the plant hospital, the first of its kind nationwide, and plans 96 healing agriculture programs targeting socially isolated households and reclusive youth, continuing psychological and emotional support.
From 2025, various institutional changes will be implemented in farmland and pet-related fields. First, amendments to the Farmland Act will introduce △ rural stay-type rest areas △ a prior notification system for farmland improvement (embankment and excavation) △ permission for agricultural machinery sales facilities within agricultural promotion zones △ strengthened penalty standards and reporting procedures.
Rural stay-type rest areas, permitted from this year, are temporary buildings with a total floor area of 33㎡ or less, requiring notification under the Building Act and registration in the farmland ledger. Especially in agricultural promotion areas, only farmers can install them, and installation is restricted in development-restricted zones according to individual laws.
Furthermore, detailed improvement standards such as suitable soil components for farmland improvement through embankment and excavation to increase farmland productivity have been established, requiring prior notification to the competent authority. However, minor acts subject to development permits, such as those under 1,000㎡ or with height/depth under 50 cm, are exempt from notification. Additionally, installation of agricultural machinery sales facilities is now allowed in farmland within agricultural promotion zones, and a maximum fine of 3 million KRW will be imposed for failure to change land category to strengthen farmland management.
Meanwhile, the number of pet medical expense categories will expand from the existing 11 to 20. With the addition of blood tests, imaging tests, medication, and dispensing fees, pet owners will be able to compare and choose medical expenses more transparently.
Mayor Lee Dong-hwan of Goyang Special City stated, “We will expand infrastructure to produce and consume excellent food, and open a new chapter in future agriculture by implementing multifaceted policies utilizing local resources and advanced technology.”
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