Gyeonggi Province deploys retired civil servants as livestock environment managers

Gyeonggi Province said Thursday it is preventing livestock losses by deploying retired civil servants as "livestock environment managers."

The managers are former civil servants who worked in livestock, agriculture or environmental fields. They visit farms across the province to inspect ventilation systems, water supply facilities, manure disposal and odor sources, and advise each farm on improvements. Gyeonggi Province has run the program since 2024 under a social contribution initiative for retired civil servants overseen by the Ministry of Personnel Management. Six managers are currently active across six regional zones.

As a heat wave has persisted in recent weeks, the managers have been providing on-site consulting to help farms make better use of existing equipment such as mist-spray systems and ventilation fans.

At one farm in Gapyeong, workers had been manually switching the mist-spray system on and off, often failing to activate it in time during busy periods. In response, a livestock environment manager advised the farm on setting timers and operating ventilation systems to manage temperatures effectively during peak heat hours and prevent excess humidity. The farm was able to get more out of its existing equipment at little additional cost while reducing inconvenience for workers.

In addition to on-site consulting, the managers also inform farms about support projects available through local municipal governments and supply items offered by regional livestock cooperatives.