Gyeongbuk Agricultural Research Institute Holds Specialized Crop Research Group Committee Meeting... Reviews Specialized Crop R&D and Development Plans, This Year's Action Plans

Gyeongbuk Provincial Government Office.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gwiyeol] The Gyeongbuk Provincial Agricultural Research and Extension Services held the ‘Specialized Crop Research Group Committee’ on the 26th to respond to social paradigm changes such as the 4th Industrial Revolution and to overcome local extinction caused by aging and the decrease of young farmers.

In January 2020, the province enacted the ‘Ordinance on Research and Development and Promotion of Regional Specialized Crops’ to foster specialized crops.

Last year, the first Regional Specialized Crop Technology Development and Promotion Plan (2021?2025) was established and is being implemented. At the ‘Gyeongsangbuk-do Specialized Crop Research Group Committee’ held on this day, this year’s action plan was reviewed.

This year’s action plan aims to develop and distribute regional specialized crop varieties, research and develop stable production technologies, and establish a collaborative system for research projects to develop consumer-tailored varieties, increase agricultural product exports, and improve productivity per labor hour. It plans to promote 8 strategic tasks in 4 major areas.

In the R&D sector, the plan includes developing regional specialized digital varieties, smart cultivation technologies, and post-harvest management technologies to promote consumption of regional agricultural products.

For performance dissemination, the focus is on rapid dissemination of agricultural technology information responding to changes in the agricultural industry environment, and the sixth industrialization of agriculture and rural areas utilizing rural experience, healing, and local cuisine. In the innovation foundation sector, the plan strategically promotes the establishment of agricultural R&D infrastructure and the production and distribution base for specialized crops.

Finally, in the system improvement sector, the plan aims to establish a collaborative system for research and development projects and efficiently improve the newly promoted specialized crop development plan and operation management.

Through the 2021 action plan, the Agricultural Research and Extension Services developed agricultural materials for hydroponic and elevated cultivation of melons, obtaining two patents, and produced prototypes in cooperation with the Agricultural Technology Commercialization Foundation.

Additionally, 22,600 peach trees of 9 varieties including Hongbaek were distributed over 75.3 hectares, creating an economic effect of 65.8 billion KRW. They also developed processed and fermented products using peaches, such as peach bread, and transferred technology to 10 companies.

Shin Yongseup, Director of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Agricultural Research and Extension Services, said, “Through the research and development and promotion plan for regional specialized crops, we will strive to attract young populations and minimize income gaps between urban and rural areas, thereby revitalizing rural areas where growth momentum is weakening.”

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