Jeongseon County Secures 4.5 Billion Won from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
As climate change causes the optimal regions for apple cultivation in Korea to shift northward, Jeongseon County in Gangwon Province has been officially recognized as a leading highland apple production area by being selected for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ “Smart Orchard Specialized Complex” public project.
This project was finalized after an in-person evaluation held on November 19 at the main conference room of the Ministry in Sejong City. Jeongseon County received high praise for presenting a business plan under the slogan “Planting Smart in Jeongseon Apples,” which focused on expanding apple cultivation areas and introducing smart agricultural technologies.
Jeongseon, situated at an altitude of over 500 meters, boasts abundant sunlight and large temperature differences between day and night during summer, creating ideal natural conditions for producing high-sugar apples. Just 20 years ago, apple cultivation in Jeongseon was minimal, but it has recently expanded to 323 hectares, now accounting for 19.2% of all apple orchards in Gangwon Province. The number of farming households has more than doubled compared to 2015, and Jeongseon apples are strengthening their market presence with a focus on high quality.
This specialized complex project has secured a total budget of 4.5 billion won, including 1.4 billion won in national funding, to establish a 19.1-hectare smart orchard. The initiative goes beyond simply expanding cultivation area; it aims to build a sustainable system for the entire Jeongseon apple industry by addressing abnormal climate conditions, reducing labor requirements, and enhancing distribution competitiveness.
The vision of this project is to “strengthen production capacity through innovative development of Jeongseon County’s horticultural agriculture.” To achieve this, five major strategies will be pursued: a five-year development plan for highland apples, improvement of production infrastructure in the Imgae region, expansion of smart unmanned facilities, organized management of the complex, and strengthening the functions of the regional distribution center.
Through these strategies, the county aims to create a premium, collective smart apple complex, reduce labor through smart technology, establish a safe production base against disasters, and complete a systematic value chain encompassing production, distribution, and consumption.
Additionally, Jeongseon County was the only region in Gangwon Province selected for the “2026 High-Quality Orchard Facility Modernization Project.” With a total investment of 860 million won, the county plans to modernize orchard facilities for 50 farms over an area of 35 hectares. This project is expected to create a synergistic effect by further enhancing the quality competitiveness and production stability of Jeongseon apples in connection with the Smart Orchard Specialized Complex.
Jung Sanggeun, Director of Agricultural Policy, stated, “Jeongseon is the optimal location for apple cultivation in terms of both climate and geography. We will continue to enhance the competitiveness of Jeongseon apples and expand cultivation areas. At the same time, by establishing smart orchard complexes and modernizing facilities, we will innovate the production base and further strengthen Jeongseon apples’ competitiveness, fundamentally improving the structure of Jeongseon’s agriculture.”
With this selection, Jeongseon County is expected to lead the smart and modern transformation of the county’s entire horticultural sector beyond just the apple industry, becoming a national model for addressing challenges in agriculture such as an aging population and the climate crisis.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
