Free Fertilizer and Seed Support for Apartment Complexes in Gangbuk-gu

Support for 80% of purchase costs for 1 bag (20kg) of manure compost and 1 pack each of radish, cabbage, dalangmu, and spinach seeds... Only multi-family housing subject to building permit conditions imposed since January 2016 eligible

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gangbuk-gu (District Mayor Park Kyum-soo) has been supporting the purchase costs of fertilizer and seeds for rooftop gardens of apartment complexes that received building permits after January 1, 2016.

The supported items include one bag (20kg) of poultry manure (chicken droppings) compost and one packet each of radish, napa cabbage, Korean radish, and spinach seeds. The district covers 80% of the average market price. Applicants only need to pay 20% of the purchase cost, which is 1,600 KRW for compost and 400 KRW for each seed packet.

Applicants can contact the District Office's Job and Economy Division by phone. After sending the applicant’s share of the purchase cost for the desired items to the reception office, the district will place the order with local suppliers. Free delivery is available for large quantities. The application deadline is until the budget is exhausted.

Since 2016, the district has effectively mandated the installation of rooftop gardens on buildings through the building permit and review process. The purpose was to revitalize urban agriculture by breathing new life into rooftops, which could easily become idle spaces. Additional benefits include the formation of resident communities and productive leisure activities through the gardens.

During the building permit process, the district made the creation of rooftop gardens a final approval condition for apartment complexes subject to review. For other private buildings, installation has been recommended to owners. This is why partial free support for fertilizer and seed purchase costs is provided to apartment complex owners as a kind of reciprocal benefit.

Gangbuk-gu Mayor Park Kyum-soo said, “The creation of rooftop gardens in apartment complexes was the first step toward self-sufficient production of eco-friendly and safe food,” adding, “We will continue urban agriculture activation projects such as fertilizer and seed support to increase the number of urban farmers growing fresh vegetables with their own hands.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.