Muju-gun to Develop Wasabi as a High-Income Crop

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Go Dallyoung] Muju-gun, Jeonbuk, announced that it will cultivate wasabi as a regionally specialized crop, drawing attention.

According to Muju-gun, 2,600㎡ are being cultivated in the Mupung, Anseong, and Bunam-myeon areas, and they are exploring ways to use the leaves as ssam vegetables in addition to the roots used as spices.

The Research and Development Team at Muju-gun Agricultural Technology Center revealed through a wasabi demonstration test in 2019 that the summer withering phenomenon decreases by about 30% in the 750m highland area compared to the plains, and they are focusing on expanding cultivation.

In particular, when soil temperature rises during the hot summer period, various pests and diseases occur, causing growth delay, suppression, and death, but wasabi has been found to grow relatively well even under these adverse conditions.

Lee Jangwon, head of the Research and Development Team at Muju-gun Agricultural Technology Center, said, “Wasabi is a Brassicaceae cold and shade-loving plant that grows well in cool climates, making it suitable for Muju-gun’s natural environment. Since we have confirmed its value as an alternative crop that generates income, we will focus on increasing productivity and improving quality to expand the cultivation farms.”

Kim Jaegu, who cultivates wasabi leaves in Bunam-myeon, Muju-gun, said, “I initially grew wasabi out of curiosity, but the leaves taste good and pair well with meat, so I plan to expand cultivation. There are also steady orders for processed products such as wasabi pickles, jangajji, and kimchi, so I am considering ways to formalize the business.”

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