【Yanggu】In order to enhance the prestige of 'Yanggu Apples,' the region's representative agricultural product, Yanggu County is launching an all-around promotion from expanding the production base to introducing smart agriculture. To this end, the county provides support for sapling purchase costs up to 18,000 won per tree, with a limit of 160 trees per 10 ares, for farmers creating new orchards. The supported varieties include Busa, Hongro, and Shinano Gold, and this year, 70 farmers have been selected to begin planting from this month. Expansion of orchard infrastructure is also underway. The county supports the installation of trellis facilities and irrigation equipment, and provides agricultural machinery and materials such as transporters, sorting machines, pest control equipment, and storage and processing agents to increase production efficiency. Efforts are also being made to strengthen technological competitiveness. Previously, in collaboration with the Rural Development Administration, on-site consulting was conducted for around 80 farming households, disseminating the latest cultivation techniques including multi-axis cultivation technology, pest and disease management, and soil management. In particular, having been selected for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' 'Creation of Specialized Smart Orchard Complex' project for two consecutive years, a foundation for a future-oriented fruit industry has been established. The county plans to create an ICT-based smart fruit complex in the Haean area by 2028 to reduce labor and increase productivity through automation and mechanization. As a result of these policies, the apple cultivation area in the Yanggu region has more than doubled from 193 hectares in 2019 to 430 hectares this year, and it has won awards for five consecutive years in the 'Republic of Korea Representative Fruit Selection Contest,' establishing itself as a premium brand. Gwon Eun-gyeong, Director of the Agricultural Technology Center, said, "We will continuously improve the quality and competitiveness of Yanggu Apples by strengthening the production base and technical support" and "We will lead the increase in farmers' income and regional agricultural development by expanding smart agriculture."