Project aims to integrate smart farming technologies into the fruit industry
The Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has selected Yanggu County in Gangwon Province as the next location for its Smart Orchard Specialised Complex Development Project.
According to a report from The Asia Business Daily, this is the second year in a row Yanggu County has been selected for the project, which aims to help introduce ICT-smart farming practices for fruit growing in Korea.
So far, 16 smart orchard complexes have been selected across the country, featuring new technologies and growing practices designed to improve productivity and quality while reducing labour costs using automation.
The 2026 project in Yanggu County will run across three years at a 25ha site in the Haean-myeon area. The total cost of the project is 4.14bn won. The 2025 project is on a 40ha site and supports apple varieties Shinano Gold, Gamhong, and coloured Fuji. These varieties were chosen in consideration of local conditions and marketability. The same varieties have been selected for the 2026 site.
The smart orchard will implement future-oriented tree structures that enhance sunlight and significantly reduce labour costs by allowing more automation and mechanisation. The orchards will be equipped with disaster-prevention facilities and be planted with disaster-resistant varieties to help prepare for abnormal weather conditions.
“Being selected for this public contest project for two consecutive years is the result of promoting smart orchards not merely as facility support, but as a core strategic project to innovate the structure of the local apple industry,” said Kim Byangae, head of the Agricultural Support Division.
“We will do our utmost to build a smart-technology-based system for producing high-quality apples centred on the Haean-myeon specialised complex, thereby stabilising farm household incomes and establishing a sustainable foundation for the fruit industry.”
