Jeonnam Seed Management Office Maintains No.1 Nationwide Scale in Parent Seed Production

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Seed Management Office has maintained its position as the nationwide leader in foundation seed production scale.

According to Jeonnam Province on the 16th, the Jeonnam Seed Management Office will be responsible for the largest foundation seed production area nationwide next year, according to the '2021 Winter Crop Seed Production and Supply Plan' confirmed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the National Seed Management Office.

'Foundation seed' refers to the seed stage prior to the 'certified seed' that is actually distributed to farms.

Next year, Jeonnam Province's foundation seed production area will reach 27 hectares, accounting for 35% of the national total of 76 hectares.

Other local governments rank as follows: Jeonbuk 16 hectares, Gyeongnam 13 hectares, Chungnam 7.5 hectares, and Gyeongbuk 6 hectares.

Foundation seed production institutions like the Seed Management Office are installed only in metropolitan autonomous entities at the provincial level, excluding cities.

By variety, a total of seven varieties will be produced, including three rice barley varieties (Hwinchalssal, Saessal, Saechalsal), one beer barley variety (Hopum), and three wheat varieties (Geumgang, Saegeumgang, Baekgang).

The production area next year has increased by 2 hectares from 25 hectares this year, with rice barley reduced by 5 hectares considering recent barley overproduction and stock levels.

Wheat is expected to see an increase of 7 hectares in certified seed supply in line with government policies to expand domestic wheat production and consumption.

In particular, the Baekgang wheat variety, popular for baking, will be introduced and produced for the first time next year, which is expected to meet domestic demand.

Additionally, beer barley, which has mostly relied on foreign imports as the main raw material for beer brewing, can be produced only in Jeju and Jeonnam, allowing the continuation of domestic beer barley production.

Meanwhile, the Jeonnam Seed Management Office is currently operated in two locations, Gwangju Metropolitan City and Naju, and is investing 12.4 billion KRW to build facilities to relocate the office to Naju, where 90% of the managed farmland is concentrated, by the end of next year.

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