The changing environment of world agriculture is greatly affecting the Korean agriculture and its policies. In the midst of this change, local governments' investment and interest in agriculture determines the quality of life in rural communities and the income level of an individual farm.
The main purpose of this study is to adopt a comprehensive development plan for the city of Yangju by examining its regional characteristics and by assessing its strengths and weaknesses and the potential of the area.
Yangju, a neighboring city of Seoul, is expected to see its population grow to over 550,000 people by 2020. However, the city is expected to see a drop in farmland and the number of farmers due to large-scale land development and increasing land prices.
After analyzing the various circumstances of the city, this study recommends that it would be desirable for the city to link its agricultural sector with green tourism.
In addition, five development strategies are recommended for the city of Yangju to promote its agricultural industry: First, it has to build a development program in close link with suburban development programs. Second, farmers must develop production, processing, and marketing strategies by reflecting consumers’ needs. Third, the city needs to establish a resource cycling agricultural system where main crops and by-products are adequately utilized. Fourth, Yangju should promote core strategies and produce items on a region-to-region basis. Fifth, the city should prepare for the introduction of a “plant factory” production system.
As for the development of rural tourism, the city should make the rural space a beautiful rural area for urban residents to gladly visit the city. Second, the city should develop linkage programs and build up a base for urban-rural exchanges to be made smoothly. It should also develop training and development programs linked to the base. Third, it should promote a networking among farm households in the business of green tourism. Fourth, the city should provide overall support to strengthen green tourism in the area.