Repeated Heat Waves and Heavy Rain Make Innovation in Gochang Agriculture’s Climate Response Inevitable

In the summer of 2025, Korea’s skies are no longer a season preserved in memories of the past. The Korea Meteorological Administration has been issuing heat wave warnings day after day, with daytime temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius and tropical nights becoming routine. Then come torrential rains and localized downpours that hardly seem like the monsoon season at all, and this year alone, numerous casualties and extensive property damage have occurred across the country.

Just a few months ago, the southeastern region experienced the largest wildfire in history, burning more than 100,000 hectares of forest. Experts say that climate change has doubled the likelihood of such disasters. The term “climate anomaly” is now meaningless. This is the new normal. And this new normal is demanding clear changes in agriculture as well.

Research into low-carbon, smart subtropical crops suited to Gochang, along with a transition in fruit farming, is an effort to respond to precisely this historical demand. Greenhouse facilities incorporating renewable energy such as agrivoltaics—or smart farms—are not merely temperature-control technologies, but can become sustainable agricultural platforms for responding to the climate crisis.

The economic case is also clear. Apple mangoes generate income of 13.2 million won per 10a, seven times that of red hyang. Bananas also create added value of 270 million won per 1ha, with import substitution effects reaching 140 million won.

Agriculture must become not a victim of climate change, but a solver of it. The climate crisis affects agriculture first and most severely. But agriculture can also become part of the solution.

First, the transition to greenhouse facilities incorporating smart farm technology must not be delayed. Open-field fruit farming has such a bleak outlook that if it does not change, failure is inevitable. Second, climate data-based design is necessary. Facility design must take into account changing weather patterns, including heat waves, concentrated heavy rainfall, and even the autumn monsoon. Third, the incorporation of renewable energy is essential. Solar power-based, energy self-sufficient agriculture can simultaneously reduce heating costs and achieve low-carbon practices. Fourth, a region-specific agricultural information system must be established. When real-time climate monitoring and forecasting systems extend all the way to farms on the ground, agriculture can overcome uncertainty.

I propose a Gochang-style low-carbon, smart subtropical crop transition and innovation in fruit farming. There are only a few years left before it becomes impossible to sustain the fruit farming economy with only watermelons and bokbunja.

In the short term (2026–2028), a shift to apple mangoes and bananas, for which consumer markets are already in place, is required. In the medium term (2029–2033), research and strategies are needed to expand crops such as dragon fruit and passion fruit that can preempt niche markets. In the long term (after 2034), diversification through functional and processing-linked crops such as papayas and herbs will be necessary.

It is already late. We must prepare now. It must be kept in mind that a transition to low-carbon, smart subtropical crops in response to climate change is an unavoidable choice for the future of Gochang agriculture.

Gwang yong Go, Policy Director, Center for Free Enterprise (CFE) / Director, Korean Regional Economics Association

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Original title: 반복적 폭염과 폭우, 기후변화 조응 고창농업 혁신 불가피

Author: Gwang yong Go

Date: 2025-09-05

Source: https://www.cfe.org/bbs/bbsDetail.php?cid=press&idx=28032