(Taean=Yonhap News) Reporter Jeong Yun-deok = The South Chungcheong Province announced on the 2nd that the "Taean Seed Farm No. 1 Creation Project," which involves investing 17.7 billion won into constructing an intelligent farm (smart farm) in Hwangchon-ri, Wonbuk-myeon, Taean County, covering an area of 2.98 hectares, has been selected as the 8th project of the Regional Revitalization Investment Fund by the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
This marks the second time that the Regional Revitalization Investment Fund has been invested in the agricultural sector, following the first phase of the Seosan Global Smart Farm Complex.
The Taean Seed Farm will include one smart cultivation house, one management house, and processing and distribution facilities.
The project period is 15 years (1 year of construction + 14 years of operation) until 2040.
The project will be operated by a special purpose corporation centered around Seed Farm, which was established in July of last year.
Taean County and Seed Farm signed a land lease agreement in November of last year, with plans to extend the contract every five years.
The South Chungcheong Province also plans to create Taean Seed Farm No. 2 and No. 3 on nearby sites.
A provincial official said, "We expect the selection of the Regional Revitalization Investment Fund project to serve as an important turning point for the Taean Seed Farm to gather local resources and private capabilities to create a sustainable agricultural ecosystem" and "We will not spare administrative support to enhance the value of agriculture through smart farming and ensure that the Taean Seed Farm becomes a national model."
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