(Boeun=Yonhap News) Boeun County, North Chungcheong, announced on the 11th that it has been finally selected for the '2026 Smart Orchard Specialization Complex Creation Project' under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, securing 1.5 billion won in national funds. The county plans to invest a total of 4.9 billion won, including national and local funds, by 2028 to create a 21-hectare smart orchard specialization complex equipped with disaster prevention facilities and other mechanized facilities in the Samseong area. This project will be carried out in collaboration with the Samseong Apple Growers Association. County head Choi Jae-hyeong said, "This selection in the current competition is an important opportunity for the establishment of a smart orchard model in response to climate change and the expansion of disaster prevention facilities" and "we will not spare any policy support for increasing farmers' income and resolving the labor shortage."