Colored Barley Varieties Such as Green, Black, and Purple Barley Create a Visual Spectacle
Processing, Experience, and Tourism Utilizing Local Agricultural Products...
A High Value-Added Industry
The Homigot Scenic Agricultural Complex, which had been brilliantly adorned with canola flowers in spring, has now changed its seasonal colors to colored barley.
Pohang City has planted colored barley varieties such as green barley, black barley, and purple barley across 50 hectares (150,000 pyeong) in the Homigot-myeon area. By doing so, the city is continuing the popularity of the canola flowers, which recently concluded with great success, and is once again offering visitors a unique visual experience.
The ever-changing landscapes of scenic agriculture throughout the seasons are transforming Homigot into a year-round tourist attraction, drawing visitors all year long. At the same time, this is revitalizing the local economy by serving as a new income-generating model for rural communities.
In particular, from June to mid-September this year, a "Garden of Coexistence" featuring vibrant cockscomb flowers will be created around Saecheonyeon Square, painting Pohang's summer with a colorful landscape.
The potential of scenic agriculture is expanding into a regionally specialized industry that integrates agriculture with AI.
Last year, Pohang City was selected for the Rural Development Administration's "Technology Dissemination Blending Cooperation Model" project, and is now working on developing regionally specialized craft beers using colored barley, as well as AI-based robots.
In September this year, the city plans to launch "Pohang Beer" and introduce a robot beer booth to welcome tourists.
Additionally, after being selected last year for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' "Rural Creatour" project, Pohang is accelerating efforts to vitalize experiential rural tourism utilizing scenic agriculture.
Based on a collaborative network between the public sector, private companies, and research institutes, the city is developing content that links tourism products and food industries so that both citizens and tourists can enjoy them together.
The city expects that seasonal scenic agriculture?including canola flowers, colored barley, buckwheat, and sunflowers?will enhance the regional brand value and stimulate local businesses by attracting more tourists.
In particular, Pohang plans to expand tourism infrastructure by developing related content such as the "Scenic Food Festival" and renovating the "Homigot Tourism Premium Hall," which will offer direct sales of agricultural products, the sale of goods, and hands-on experience content.
Mayor Lee Kangdeok stated, "Scenic agriculture is more than just a visual attraction?it is a vital resource for driving the economic and cultural sustainability of rural areas. By incorporating residents' opinions, we will develop a high-value-added industry that connects local agricultural product processing, hands-on experiences, and tourism, and create a sustainable success model for scenic agriculture."
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