Samcheok ‘rental smart farm’ completed… 9 teams of young farmers, 26 people moved in

The 'Regional Specialized Rental Smart Farm', created by Samcheok City in Gangwon-do to ease the initial investment burden of young farmers and help them settle down in stable farming, was completed on the 10th and began full-scale operation.

This project was promoted to help young farmers build smart farming technology and cultivation experience in response to the aging agricultural population and the decline in rural manpower.

Starting in 2023, the city invested a total project cost of 25 billion won to build three state-of-the-art greenhouses measuring approximately 4ha on a 5.9ha site.

The state-of-the-art greenhouse is composed of strawberry, cucumber, and tomato buildings, taking into account the characteristics of each crop.

There are a total of 26 young farmers in 9 teams in the strawberry, cucumber, and tomato fields.

The selection process for tenants in the cucumber and tomato fields is currently underway, and the strawberry cultivation facility plans to recruit tenants separately in 2027.

Those eligible to move in are between the ages of 18 and 40, who have completed or are expected to complete the Smart Farm Youth Entrepreneurship Incubation Project, or are young farmers with less than 3 years of independent management. The basic rental period is 3 years, but can be used for up to 6 years.

The city is creating a rural home to ease the housing burden of young farmers near smart farms.

A total project cost of 10 billion won is being invested to prepare 28 rental houses and 1 community-use facility with the goal of occupancy in March next year.

The city expects that smart farms and rural homes will lower the barriers to entry into agriculture for young farmers and contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of local agriculture.

In addition, it is expected that it will help revitalize rural areas by encouraging young farmers to settle in the region, produce high-quality agricultural products, and increase agricultural income.

Choi Jun-su, head of the Technology Distribution Department, said, “We will continue to drive sustainable Samcheok agricultural development by nurturing young farmers and spreading smart agriculture.”