The Future of Agriculture: Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services

It is an organization in Gyeonggi-do that works for the future of agriculture by developing technology, conducting research, and more.

The Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services (GARES) is an organization that strives to develop the future of agriculture. Specifically, it conducts trial research for the development of agricultural practices, technologies, and management, and also cultivates agricultural personnel. The official website of GARES provides a diverse range of useful information regarding agriculture, as well as daily prices of agricultural products. It also offers FAQs on cultivation technologies, farm management, policy systems, and more so that people who have questions about agriculture can easily find answers.

Among the many initiatives being pursued by GARES are mushroom research, income resource research, and cactus/succulent plant research, as well as education provision. Any member of the public can make reservations to visit GARES through its official website (nongup.gg.go.kr – Korean language only).

Mushroom Research

Mushroom research strives to foster a range of varieties for the advancement of the Korean mushroom industry. In addition, such research also aims to enhance farmer income through the development of production and processing technologies.

Income Resource Research

Income resource research pursues the development of technologies for the cultivation of crops suitable for the climatic characteristics of Gyeonggi Province so that Korean agricultural products can thrive and achieve international competitiveness. Of particular note, such research has entailed the trial cultivation of new varieties of branded soybeans and ginseng especially for Gyeonggi.

Cactus/Succulent Plant Research

Cactus/succulent plant research encompasses a range of projects and related activities including the development of new varieties and cultivation technologies necessary for the expansion of this valuable sector.

Education Services

GARES also functions as an educational institution that strives to identify and cultivate the personnel who will lead the agricultural industry of Gyeonggi. Its services in this regard do not comprise a regular college curriculum, but instead provide a lifelong agricultural curriculum sought to improve the competence of agricultural specialists. Anyone working in agriculture in Gyeonggi Province can apply to participate.

Students of Insect Industry Department are learning in the class

ⓒGyeonggi Province

Each session, a total of 100 participants are recruited for the education programs of GARES, with 25 being recruited for each of the 4 programs described below:

- Experiential Expert Program (25 participants) - Planning and operation of rural experiential learning programs;

- Agrifood Program (25 participants) - Principles of agricultural food processing, hygiene, and more;

- Agricultural Instructor Program (25 participants) - Teaching techniques, pedagogical approaches, and more; and

- Insect Industry Program (25 participants) - Insect industry structure, breeding technologies, and more.

Online Experiential Learning 

Various experiential learning programs have been devised and offered online so that members of the public can become more familiar with agriculture.

For example, GARES developed an experiential kimchi-making program that promotes an understanding of various kimchi types and helps foster healthy eating habits. A total of 240 Gyeonggi-do residents with children ranging from infants to middle school students were recruited for this program on a first-come, first-served basis through the website. All participants received the ingredients for kimchi-making delivered directly to their homes and they were then able to learn the related preparation techniques online.