The organic mulberries cultivated using a philosophy of eco-friendly agriculture and natural circulation farming in Haenam, South Jeolla Province, have been selected as the representative eco-friendly produce for October by Gwangju Integrated Special City.
On October 19, Gwangju Integrated Special City announced that the organic mulberries produced by Park Seong-gwan of Myungrang Farm in Haenam were chosen as this month's eco-friendly agricultural product and highlighted as an excellent example of local eco-friendly farming.
Park, who produces about 4 tons of organic mulberries annually on a 3,300㎡ farm, was designated as the 29th organic master in 2022.
Notably, he practices natural circulation farming, which does not rely on chemical pesticides and returns farm byproducts back to the soil, pursuing both productivity and environmental conservation.
Park's eco-friendly farming has been passed down through three generations. After working in Gwangju, he returned to Haenam in 2014 to continue his family's agricultural legacy.
His father, Park Chun-gil, is known as a leading figure in eco-friendly agriculture, recognized locally as the 'father of organic farming in Haenam.'
Building on the agricultural philosophy inherited from his father, Park has enhanced eco-friendly farming by integrating his own techniques and experiences into traditional cultivation methods.
At the farm, he employs a method called 'sod cultivation,' where naturally growing plants like mugwort are not removed but used for soil management. This approach helps manage nutrients and moisture by returning the plants to the soil, reducing reliance on external agricultural materials.
He also secures compost through collaboration with local farms.
The livestock manure sourced from antibiotic-free certified farms is mixed with rice straw, sesame meal, and organic byproducts, fermented for over two years, and then used on the farmland. Additionally, he practices resource recycling by shredding and returning pruning branches of kiwifruit to the soil.
Various eco-friendly technologies are also applied for pest and disease control.
He has installed self-developed snail traps and insect traps, using natural materials such as sesame oil, yellow clay, and ginkgo leaves to manage pests and diseases.
In particular, he has set up moth traps made from a mixture of makgeolli and enzyme liquid throughout the farm, reducing the use of chemical pesticides while cutting pest control costs.
The mulberries produced through these cultivation methods are consumed in various forms, including fresh fruit, juice, jam, and fermented products.
Mulberries, the fruit of the mulberry tree, contain anthocyanins and other nutrients, and their unique sweet and sour taste makes them highly versatile as an ingredient in processed foods.
The selling price of the mulberries produced by Park is approximately 30,000 won per kilogram, with the farm's annual revenue around 80 million won.
The products are sold through various online and offline distribution channels, including the Myungrang Farm online shopping mall, Haenam Miso, public home shopping, and Lotte Hotel.
Park Seong-gwan stated, "I believe that producing safe food for the public is the mission and duty of a farmer. I cultivate agricultural products with the mindset of feeding my own children and strive to repay consumers with the best quality and taste."
He added, "I want to share the eco-friendly farming techniques and experiences I have accumulated with neighboring farms and create a culture of 'cooperative eco-friendliness and mutual growth' among farmers."
Kim Young-seok, head of the Eco-Friendly Agriculture Division of Gwangju Integrated Special City, remarked, "Farmers who produce high-quality eco-friendly agricultural products based on extensive experience and research are enhancing the competitiveness of local eco-friendly agriculture. We will support farmers in gaining pride in their work by discovering and promoting excellent agricultural products, securing stable sales channels, and expanding consumption."
Meanwhile, Gwangju Integrated Special City selects outstanding eco-friendly agricultural products produced in the region each month to inform about the cultivation techniques and characteristics of the products. This initiative aims to raise consumer awareness of eco-friendly agricultural products and support the expansion of sales channels for producing farms, thereby revitalizing local eco-friendly agriculture.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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