[Photo: Rural Development Administration]
In 2024, the production value of regional specialty crops in South Korea is projected to exceed 10 trillion won. Processing sales have also surpassed 3 trillion won, contributing to a 19% increase in farmers' agricultural income compared to previous years. The Rural Development Administration (RDA) aims to develop regional specialty crops as a foundation for agricultural growth.
On June 17, RDA Administrator Lee Seung-don announced these findings during a briefing at the Government Sejong Center, outlining the key achievements of the first comprehensive plan for research and development of regional specialty crops and the direction for the second plan. The first plan, implemented from 2021 to 2025, focused on producing varieties tailored to the unique natural environments of different regions.
"As the issue of regional extinction emerges as a national challenge, it is essential for regions to have competitive industries to thrive," Lee said. "Regional specialty crops can become a policy that prepares for the future of these areas beyond just agricultural policy."
A notable example of a regional specialty crop is the seedless watermelon from North Jeolla Province. The RDA has addressed challenges in producing seedless watermelons, such as the labor-intensive process of securing sterile pollen and pollination. Collaborating with the North Jeolla Watermelon Experiment Station, the RDA improved pollen collection techniques and introduced low-temperature stable production and environmental control technologies.
As a result, production costs for watermelons in North Jeolla have decreased by 32% compared to before the technology was introduced, while yields have increased by 10%. Other regions have also reported successes with specialty crops, including cactus in Gyeonggi Province, corn in Gangwon Province, strawberries in South Chungcheong Province, and yuzu in South Jeolla Province.
Consequently, the production value of regional specialty crops is expected to reach 10.6 trillion won in 2024, a 34.8% increase from 7.8 trillion won in 2020. The processing sales of these crops have also risen from 2.5 trillion won in 2020 to 3.4 trillion won in 2024, marking a 33.9% increase.
The growth in production value and processing has translated into increased income for farmers. Based on the cultivation area of regional specialty crops in 2024, agricultural income per 10 ares is projected to be 5,717,000 won, an 18.8% rise from 2020.
This growth has also played a significant role in maintaining the production base in rural areas. From 2020 to 2024, the total cultivation area and the number of farms in the country decreased by 3.8% and 5.9%, respectively, while the cultivation area and number of farmers growing regional specialty crops only declined by 0.3% and 1.1%.
Lee stated, "The second comprehensive plan will focus on nurturing regional specialty crops as a core growth engine for local agricultural industries, with local governments taking the lead and the central government providing support."
On June 17, RDA Administrator Lee Seung-don announced these findings during a briefing at the Government Sejong Center, outlining the key achievements of the first comprehensive plan for research and development of regional specialty crops and the direction for the second plan. The first plan, implemented from 2021 to 2025, focused on producing varieties tailored to the unique natural environments of different regions.
"As the issue of regional extinction emerges as a national challenge, it is essential for regions to have competitive industries to thrive," Lee said. "Regional specialty crops can become a policy that prepares for the future of these areas beyond just agricultural policy."
A notable example of a regional specialty crop is the seedless watermelon from North Jeolla Province. The RDA has addressed challenges in producing seedless watermelons, such as the labor-intensive process of securing sterile pollen and pollination. Collaborating with the North Jeolla Watermelon Experiment Station, the RDA improved pollen collection techniques and introduced low-temperature stable production and environmental control technologies.
As a result, production costs for watermelons in North Jeolla have decreased by 32% compared to before the technology was introduced, while yields have increased by 10%. Other regions have also reported successes with specialty crops, including cactus in Gyeonggi Province, corn in Gangwon Province, strawberries in South Chungcheong Province, and yuzu in South Jeolla Province.
Consequently, the production value of regional specialty crops is expected to reach 10.6 trillion won in 2024, a 34.8% increase from 7.8 trillion won in 2020. The processing sales of these crops have also risen from 2.5 trillion won in 2020 to 3.4 trillion won in 2024, marking a 33.9% increase.
The growth in production value and processing has translated into increased income for farmers. Based on the cultivation area of regional specialty crops in 2024, agricultural income per 10 ares is projected to be 5,717,000 won, an 18.8% rise from 2020.
This growth has also played a significant role in maintaining the production base in rural areas. From 2020 to 2024, the total cultivation area and the number of farms in the country decreased by 3.8% and 5.9%, respectively, while the cultivation area and number of farmers growing regional specialty crops only declined by 0.3% and 1.1%.
Lee stated, "The second comprehensive plan will focus on nurturing regional specialty crops as a core growth engine for local agricultural industries, with local governments taking the lead and the central government providing support."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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