SEOUL, Jan. 15 (Korea Bizwire) — Gyeonggi Province has announced a comprehensive five-year plan worth 172.1 billion won to transform livestock waste management, focusing on resource recycling and environmental sustainability.
The plan outlines 14 practical initiatives across three major areas: promoting eco-friendly scientific farming practices, diversifying waste recycling methods, and improving public perception of livestock waste management. These initiatives are organized under eight strategic objectives.
A key component of the plan involves expanding shared composting facilities across different regions, developing specialized compost distribution networks, and supporting high-quality compost production. The province also aims to explore partnerships with other industries, including the conversion of livestock waste into biogas and solid fuel.
The initiative will strengthen collaboration among livestock, agricultural policy, and technology agencies. It includes support measures for communities hosting energy conversion facilities and provides customized consulting services to farms for reducing livestock odors.
In 2023, Gyeonggi Province became the first region in South Korea to subsidize plowing costs for farmers to reduce odors from compost-treated fields. These efforts have shown positive results, with 12,000 tons of compost successfully applied to 1,040 hectares of farmland and an 18% reduction in odor-related complaints compared to the previous year.
“This master plan represents a long-term commitment to sustainable livestock waste management,” said Lee Kang-young, director of Gyeonggi Province’s Livestock and Animal Welfare Bureau.
“It will contribute to developing agriculture and livestock farming into a more sustainable industry.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)