North Chungcheong Province expands "Milwon Complex Development Project"... secures 1 billion in lottery funds.

(Cheongju=Yonhap News) Reporter Jeon Chang-hae = The North Chungcheong Province announced on the 9th that it will expand the "Mulberry Plantation Complex Creation Project" with 1 billion won from lottery funds.

The province has been expanding this project, which involves planting mulberry trees, acacia trees, and other mulberry trees, as one of Governor Kim Young-hwan's pledges since 2023.

The funds were secured by utilizing the Regional Specialized Afforestation project, which is supported by the Korea Forest Service.

As a result, focusing on public forests, 53 hectares of mulberry plantation complexes were created in 2023, 64 hectares last year, and 43 hectares so far this year.

In the meantime, the province recently sought lottery funds due to increasing demand for mulberry trees and the deepening climate crisis, and the expansion of the project. The positive effects of creating a mulberry plantation complex, such as fostering the beekeeping industry and eco-tourism resources, align with the policy direction of the lottery fund, leading to securing the fund.

The province plans to expand the creation of 50 hectares of mulberry plantation complexes next year with the secured funds.

Kim Nam-hoon, Director of the Provincial Forest and Green Space Division, said, "Creating a mulberry plantation complex is not just simple afforestation, but a triple-win project that saves bees and agriculture, increases the income of beekeeping farmers, and creates tourism resources by combining flowers and trees," and added, "We will continue to make efforts to expand the creation of the complex."