Young farmer turns job loss into smart farming success
On Oct. 7, Wooriga Green Farm, a cherry tomato smart farm in Seobuk District in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, was filled with rows of tomato vines stretching nearly to the greenhouse ceiling. Ripe red tomatoes hung in clusters along both sides of the aisles. They were the last fruits of the summer growing season. The farm’s owner, Woo Min-jae, 32, is considered one of the region’s leading…
Wooriga Green Farm, a cherry tomato smart farm located in Seobuk District of Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, has seen significant success under the ownership of 32-year-old Woo Min-jae. After losing his job in 2019 due to his employer relocating its factory to China, Woo has turned his skills and experience into a thriving greenhouse operation covering 1,900 square meters.
In the previous year, the farm generated an impressive revenue of 150 million won ($110,000). Woo's story highlights the growing trend of young people leaving rural areas, as the Ministry of Data and Statistics reports a sharp decline in the farming population from over 3 million in 2010 to just over 2 million in 2024. The proportion of farmers aged 65 and above has surged during this same period, indicating an urgent need for innovative solutions to engage and retain younger generations in rural farming.
Brief written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Young farmer turns job loss into smart farming success koreatimes.co.kr
