베리 insights

Gyeonggi Agricultural Technology Institute held an evaluation event on the 26th at a grape farm in Hwaseong City, introducing grape varieties such as 'Shooting Star', 'Summer Crisp', and 'Jelly Pop'. The evaluation event was organized to address the interest of farmers in finding alternative varieties after the Shine Muscat and to explore new options in response to the climate crisis. The three varieties introduced at the event are 'Shooting Star', a seedless grape with a cotton candy flavor that can be eaten with the skin, 'Summer Crisp', an ultra-early variety that can be harvested in mid-August with a crisp texture and refreshing taste, and 'Jelly Pop', which has a jelly-like texture and excellent coloration. All three varieties are evaluated to have distinct flavors, textures, and appearances, aligning with recent consumer trends.

The Jeonnam Institute of Agricultural Technology (Director Kim Haeng-ran) urged thorough management and caution to prevent strawberry wilt disease, which is of concern due to rising autumn temperatures. Strawberries are a preferred crop among returning-to-farm and entrepreneurial farmers. As of 2023, Jeonnam's greenhouse cultivation area for strawberries is 571 hectares, accounting for 10.2% of the national total. Particularly, with an income rate of over 42%, strawberries are considered a stable, high-income crop among greenhouse vegetables. Therefore, managing diseases such as wilt disease is directly linked to the stable income of farmers. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration's forecast, the temperature in September and October, which are the planting and disease outbreak periods for strawberries, is expected to be higher and more humid than usual, likely leading to an increase in wilt disease.

(Muan=Yonhap News) The Jeonnam Headquarters of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, in preparation for the Chuseok holiday, assisted in labor in Gangjin with students from Gwangju National University on the 1st. On this day, the Agricultural Cooperative visited strawberry-growing farms in Gangjin County to carry out the task of cleaning the leaves of strawberry seedlings in greenhouses. After cleaning the strawberry leaves, they also engaged in environmental cleanup activities in the rural village, such as collecting agricultural waste and village garbage, in order to create a clean agricultural and rural environment for the Chuseok holiday. Gwangju National University has signed a work agreement with the Jeonnam Headquarters of the Agricultural Cooperative Federation and actively carries out more than 10 rural labor assistance and talent donation service activities annually. The day before, the Agricultural Cooperative, along with the Boram Volunteer Team from Haenam Prison, visited chrysanthemum-growing farms in Okcheon-myeon, Haenam County, to assist with chrysanthemum harvesting. The Jeonnam Agricultural Cooperative plans to carry out rural labor assistance with Haenam, Mokpo, Jangheung, and Suncheon Prisons every month until November. Head of the Jeonnam Agricultural Cooperative, Lee Gwang-il, said, "As the main harvest season has begun, Jeonnam Agricultural Cooperative will make every effort to assist in rural labor by actively cooperating with related agencies and volunteer organizations."