Seoul City Launches 'Flower Gift' Campaign to Support Floriculture Farms Affected by COVID-19

COVID-19 Continues, Graduation and Entrance Ceremonies Canceled Causing Consumption Cliff and Price Drop Challenges for Flower Farms
Distribution of Companion Plants Grown by Local Flower Farms to Elderly Care Recipients and Over 50 Elderly Care Facilities
Citizen Participation Programs Using Flowers Operated Annually for Over 6,000 People... Promoting Flower Consumption Culture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 22nd, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will help flower farmers who are suffering from double hardships due to decreased flower consumption and falling prices caused by the cancellation of graduation and entrance ceremonies due to COVID-19.

Following last year, Seoul will promote flower decorations by installing flower vases and floral arrangements starting from the lobby on the first floor of the Seoul City Hall main building on the 23rd, and on March 2nd (Tuesday), decorations will be placed in the main building lounge, cafeteria, and cafes.

At the city level, the budget for purchasing potted plants grown by flower farmers and distributing companion plants to elderly care recipients has been doubled (from 200 million KRW to 400 million KRW). This year, about 2,000 potted plants and companion plants will be delivered to more than 50 elderly care facilities, and horticultural therapy programs will also be operated.

In addition, Seoul and autonomous districts will expand cultural programs using "flowers" as materials. Through education and cultural programs such as flower coordinator training, development of flower products like dried flowers, and horticultural therapy, about 6,000 citizens can participate annually to promote flower consumption.

The Seoul branch of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation will also work with Seoul City to operate separate corners for flower sales at local Nonghyup Hanaro Marts. To continuously spread the culture of flower consumption inside stores, a "Flower Consumption Purchase Promotion Campaign" will be conducted, distributing flowers and potted plants to visiting customers and employees while complying with COVID-19 prevention guidelines.

Kim Ui-seung, Director of Seoul City’s Economic Policy Office, said, “We will devise various methods to alleviate the difficulties of flower farmers directly affected by the COVID-19 situation, even if only a little,” and added, “We ask for active participation in flower consumption campaigns such as flower gifts and 1 Table 1 Flower to support flower farmers struggling with price declines.”

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