(Andong=Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Seung-hyeong = Gyeongbuk Province announced on the 5th that it has been selected for the "Open-field Smart Farm (Apple) Education and Experience Center Creation Project" bid organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. This project was first introduced this year to systematically train farmers who wish to transition to smart farms as professional managers. The province plans to invest 1.8 billion won by next year to create a 4.3-hectare phased experience and education center in Mangcheon-ri, Imdong-myeon, Andong City. In the introductory orchard, the first phase, participants will learn about the entire process of apple growth from seedling planting to tree shaping, as well as basic smart farm concepts. In the second phase, the popularization orchard, training is provided to increase equipment operation capabilities using smart farm equipment that can be immediately introduced to farms. The advanced orchard, the third phase, integrates cutting-edge technologies such as data-based precision irrigation and fertilization systems and natural disaster prevention facilities to present a model for the advancement of future smart agriculture. Gyeongbuk is the main apple production area, accounting for 62.2% of the nation's total apple production. Based on the results of the Andong (apple) and Uiseong (garlic) open-field smart farming demonstration centers, the province plans to expand the application of the smart farming standard model to various crops such as peppers and onions. Park Chan-guk, Director of the Agricultural and Livestock Distribution Bureau of Gyeongbuk Province, said, "Open-field smart farming is a necessary project to solve the structural problems of agriculture such as climate change and labor shortages," and "We will do our best to ensure that this education and experience center leads to increased farm income." haru@yna.co.kr