Gyeongju City, First Shipment of 'Isageum Melon'... A Profitable Second Crop for Tomato Farmers

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Dong-wook] Gyeongju City in Gyeongbuk announced on the 10th that the region's specialty product, 'Isageum Melon,' began its first shipment on the 9th.

Formed in 2010 with four farms at its core since 2003, the Gyeongju Melon Association has successfully developed the melon as a new income crop for the region, aiming for sales of 2.5 billion KRW with a harvest of about 1,200 tons from over 80 farms this year.

According to Gyeongju Agricultural Products Distribution Center, melons weighing 2 to 2.2 kg with a sugar content of over 13 Brix are carefully selected and expected to be distributed at the highest prices in major cities nationwide, the city explained.

Melons, rich in potassium, vitamin C, and carotene, help quickly expel waste from the body, aiding in fatigue recovery, stress relief, and anti-aging. The carotenoids and beta-carotene abundant in the flesh are key compounds that fight cancer, and are especially known for their preventive effects against lung cancer.

Geum Sam-ho, president of the Gyeongju Melon Association, stated, "Melons are cultivated by tomato farmers during their fallow period from November to May after tomato cultivation, so the number of farms growing melons is expected to continue increasing, greatly contributing to farmers' income growth."

Kim Jin-tae, director of Gyeongju's Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock, and Marine Affairs Bureau, said, "We will spare no policy support for the production of high-quality premium Gyeongju Isageum Melons," and urged, "The Gyeongju Agricultural Products Distribution Center should make further efforts to increase farmers' income as the top distribution hub."

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