South Chungcheong Province launches smart orchard complex in Seosan

South Chungcheong Province is moving to establish a smart orchard complex designed to address climate change, an aging rural population and a shortage of farm labor.

The provincial government announced Wednesday that a proposed smart orchard complex in Seosan had been selected — the first in the province — for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' 2026 Smart Orchard Complex Development Project.

The program combines flat-canopy apple cultivation — a multi-axis training system — with information and communications technology to strengthen the competitiveness of the fruit industry.

The province and Seosan city jointly developed the project proposal and refined it through expert consultation. As a result, the province secured 1.48 billion won ($1.01 million) in national government funding and will develop a 20.5-hectare smart orchard complex in the Gasa-ri area of Buseok-myeon, Seosan, over three years through 2028.

Total project costs stand at 4.82 billion won, comprising 1.48 billion won in national funds, 433.35 million won from the provincial government, 1.01 billion won from the city and 1.89 billion won in self-funding from participating farmers.

Nineteen farms will take part in the project, which will transition orchards to four new apple varieties: Miyabi, K2, Hubraks and Shinano Gold.

The province plans to install flat-canopy training systems and update varieties across the complex, while also building an ICT-integrated management system, disaster-prevention facilities and shared equipment. Participating farms will receive integrated support covering education, consulting and promotional marketing.

Through the project, the province aims to cut labor costs and raise productivity and quality using smart cultivation technology, targeting output of 6 to 9 tons per 10 ares. It also plans to establish a future-oriented apple production model suited to the West Sea coastal climate, strengthening the competitiveness of South Chungcheong's fruit industry.

Starting with a master plan, the province will develop water sources, improve farm roads and build other infrastructure, then carry out variety transitions, disaster-prevention facility installations and education and consulting programs on a year-by-year basis. The goal is to develop the Seosan complex into a flagship model for a South Chungcheong-style smart orchard adapted to West Sea coastal conditions.

"This selection marks an important turning point as South Chungcheong's fruit industry transforms into a future-oriented smart agriculture sector," said Lee Seung-han, the province's director general of agriculture and livestock. "We will work closely with Seosan city to carry out the project without a hitch and develop the smart orchard complex into a leading model that raises the competitiveness of South Chungcheong's fruit industry."