Gyeonggi Province Invests 124.6 Billion Won... 17 Years of Effort Bear Fruit
Livestock R&D, Equestrian Healing, and Companion Animals All in One Place
Reclaimed Land Transformed into Ecofarmland, a Livestock Tourism Industrial Complex
After 17 years of preparation, "Ecofarmland," the largest public livestock complex tourism facility in Korea, where visitors can experience and enjoy all aspects of the livestock industry-including livestock research, horse riding, pet adoption, and education-will open its doors on November 25.
Gyeonggi Province announced on November 19 that "Ecofarmland," located in Hwaseong City, will hold its official opening ceremony and begin operations on November 25.
Gyeonggi Province's Ecofarmland is a comprehensive livestock complex with research, experiential, therapeutic, and welfare functions, built on a land area of 119 hectares (1,189,275 square meters) and a total building area of 46,670 square meters. The main facilities include: ▲ a livestock R&D complex for animal experiments and breeding stock management; ▲ a therapeutic and healing equestrian complex supporting emotional well-being and leisure activities for residents through horse culture experiences and training; and ▲ a companion animal complex equipped with an adoption center and animal welfare education facilities.
In detail, the livestock R&D complex is situated on a 29,359-square-meter site and consists of a cattle barn, composting facility, quarantine barn, feed warehouse, and agricultural machinery storage. Research projects here will focus on specialized Gyeonggi Hanwoo cattle, preservation and distribution of native livestock, and industrialization of new dairy cow breeds.
The therapeutic and healing equestrian complex occupies an 8,474-square-meter site and features a riding horse stable, indoor riding arena, circular track, walking machine, and farriery. Public riding facilities for children, people with disabilities, and socially disadvantaged groups, facility rentals to promote private equestrian competitions, and training and distribution of domestic riding horses are also planned.
The companion animal complex covers 1,406 square meters and includes a cat adoption center, playground, pet education center, and play area. Various adoption, education, and play programs with companion animals will be held to promote a culture of respect for life.
The concept for "Ecofarmland" first began in 2008, when the fourth section of the Hwaong District reclamation project in Mado and Seosin-myeon, Hwaseong City, was completed. Originally developed to increase rice production, the reclaimed land required a review of its efficiency after rice consumption began to decline in the late 1990s.
As a result, the government started looking for new ways to utilize the reclaimed land. During this process, Gyeonggi Province proposed the creation of a large-scale livestock industrial complex. Once the government accepted this proposal, the Ecofarmland development project moved forward in earnest.
Over the past 17 years, Gyeonggi Province has invested a total of 124.6 billion won in Ecofarmland to lead the future of Korea's livestock industry, including the creation of an integrated agri-livestock-fishery R&D cluster. Notably, during the tenure of Governor Kim Dongyeon in the eighth popularly elected administration, 60.9 billion won of provincial funds were intensively invested, resulting in rapid progress.
Gyeonggi Province plans to use Ecofarmland as a hub to strengthen research, development, and distribution of livestock technologies; operate horse culture and youth career experience programs; promote a culture of respect for companion animals; and revitalize the horse industry through various related initiatives.
In addition, by collaborating with local livestock farmers and private companies to establish smart, eco-friendly, and animal welfare-oriented livestock models, the province aims to provide residents with a safe and healthy supply system for livestock products and to solidify the foundation for sustainable livestock industry development.
Lee Kangyoung, Director-General of Livestock and Animal Welfare at Gyeonggi Province, stated, "The opening of Ecofarmland is a major achievement for Gyeonggi Province's livestock industry, realized after 17 years of effort. It will not be just a simple livestock complex, but the starting point of a mutually beneficial livestock ecosystem where residents and farmers grow together."
Meanwhile, the opening ceremony will also feature the signing of a livestock development memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Gyeonggi Province and NongHyup Agribusiness Group for livestock improvement and farm management stability, as well as a second session, "Livestock Future Talk Concert with Next-Generation Livestock Leaders."
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