Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea – Chungcheongnam-do (South Chungcheong Province) is poised to revolutionize the nation's green onion (쪽파, jjokpa) industry with an ambitious plan to establish the country's most extensive hydroponic cultivation complex. The provincial Agricultural Research and Technology Institute (농업기술원) announced on April 29th its full-fledged commitment to this groundbreaking project, aiming to cultivate 8.8 hectares of green onions using advanced soilless farming techniques by the end of the current year. This strategic move seeks to address persistent supply vulnerabilities associated with traditional open-field cultivation and elevate Chungnam Province as the undisputed epicenter of green onion production in South Korea.

Currently, the vast majority (86%) of South Korea's 5,828 hectares dedicated to green onion farming relies on conventional open-field methods. This reliance exposes the crop to the vagaries of weather patterns, including increasingly frequent and intense heat waves and torrential rainfall, leading to significant fluctuations in supply and price instability for consumers. Recognizing the urgent need for a more resilient and consistent production system, the Chungnam Agricultural Technology Institute initiated pilot hydroponic cultivation programs in 2021.

The results of these preliminary trials have been remarkably promising. Hydroponic cultivation has demonstrated the potential to shorten the growth cycle by over ten days compared to traditional soil-based farming. Furthermore, the implementation of intensive multi-cropping systems, enabling 6 to 8 harvests annually, has yielded an impressive threefold increase in income for participating farmers. These compelling findings underscore the economic and practical advantages of transitioning to controlled-environment agriculture for green onion production.

Chungnam Province already holds a dominant position in greenhouse-based green onion cultivation, boasting 499 hectares, which constitutes a significant 62.7% of the nation's total of 796 hectares of facility-grown green onions. Capitalizing on this existing infrastructure and expertise, the Agricultural Technology Institute plans to expand its hydroponic initiative by selecting 39 farms this year, including nine promising young agricultural entrepreneurs, to reach the target of 8.8 hectares. This represents a substantial fourfold increase in hydroponic acreage compared to the previous year, a leap that is expected to significantly bolster the branding and market presence of Chungnam's smart farm-produced green onions.

To ensure the successful implementation and long-term sustainability of this ambitious project, the province has fostered a robust collaborative framework. On February 21st, the 'Chungnam Hydroponic Green Onion Research Association' was officially launched, bringing together stakeholders from nine cities and counties. This public-private partnership aims to consolidate expertise, facilitate knowledge sharing, and expedite the stabilization of hydroponic cultivation techniques.

Furthermore, the province is making a significant financial commitment to this endeavor. A total investment of 2.67 billion KRW (approximately $2 million USD), a sixfold increase from the previous year, has been allocated to identify new project opportunities and scale up existing single-item initiatives, paving the way for the large-scale hydroponic complex.

Addressing a critical aspect of agricultural expansion, the province is also prioritizing the establishment of dedicated seed bulb production complexes. Recognizing that a stable supply of high-quality seed bulbs is essential for the widespread adoption of hydroponic cultivation, the Agricultural Technology Institute is collaborating closely with the Specialized Crop Research Institute to strengthen on-site guidance and technical support at every stage of plant growth. Moreover, efforts are underway to expand the dissemination of manuals for self-pollination complexes, aiming to enhance the self-sufficiency rate for seed bulb production within the province.

Park Young-soo, head of the Technology Extension Division at the Chungnam Agricultural Technology Institute, emphasized the national significance of this initiative, stating, "Chungnam's hydroponic green onion cultivation technology is garnering considerable attention from local governments across the country, many of whom are actively exploring its adoption. Chungnam is at the forefront of this agricultural innovation, leading the way for the rest of the nation."

He further articulated the province's vision, asserting, "Through this large-scale regional complex project this year, we aim to firmly establish green onions as a high-value smart farm crop, following the successful models of strawberries and tomatoes. By strengthening our collaborative partnerships with the research association, we are fully committed to ensuring the stability and widespread adoption of this transformative technology."

This bold initiative by Chungnam Province not only promises to stabilize the supply of a staple culinary ingredient for South Koreans but also positions the region as a leader in agricultural innovation, demonstrating the potential of smart farming technologies to enhance productivity, improve farmer incomes, and build resilience against the challenges of a changing climate. The development of the nation's largest hydroponic green onion complex in Chungnam marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and secure agricultural future for South Korea.