Sancheong Farms and Forest Science Institute Join Hands to Revitalize the Dried Persimmon Industry

Persimmon Tree Test Cultivation Agreement... Cooperation from Production to Post-Management

Gyeongnam Sancheong dried persimmon farms and the National Institute of Forest Science signed an agreement to conduct experimental cultivation of dried persimmons.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] The dried persimmon farms in Sancheong, Gyeongnam, and the National Institute of Forest Science have joined forces to revitalize the dried persimmon industry.

On the 20th, according to Sancheong County, the Forest Specialty Resources Research Division of the National Institute of Forest Science under the Korea Forest Service and Baek Han-heum’s farm, which cultivates persimmons and produces dried persimmons in Danseong-myeon, Sancheong, signed an agreement to conduct experimental cultivation to revitalize the dried persimmon industry.

Through this agreement, they will actively cooperate to increase the income of forestry workers by conducting on-site demonstration research and seminars on cultivation and post-harvest management technologies for stable production and distribution of high-quality dried persimmons, as well as on-site education for forestry workers.

The yield and quality of dried persimmons vary significantly depending on factors such as weather dryness during the growing season, pest and disease damage, cultivation methods (fertilization, tree shape management, etc.), and drying methods of the dried persimmons.

Accordingly, they plan to focus on on-site demonstration research in the technical fields from cultivation to post-harvest management to ensure stable production of high-quality raw persimmons and improve the efficiency of dried persimmon production.

Baek Han-heum’s farm, which signed the agreement with the National Institute of Forest Science, has been producing high-quality persimmons using eco-friendly farming methods on about 3 hectares of persimmon orchards since 1980.

In 2016, Baek’s farm was the first in the Sancheong area to enter the Korea Representative Fruit Selection Contest and won the grand prize.

A county official said, “We will do our best to support the smooth progress of demonstration research that integrates cultivation sites and research,” and added, “We will continue to focus on revitalizing the rural economy through mutual cooperation with forestry product cultivation approvals and production organizations.”

Sancheong dried persimmons, a major income item of Sancheong County, are a representative Korean winter nutritional snack made by peeling the skin off harvested astringent persimmons and drying them.

Astringent persimmons contain a large amount of tannin, which is effective in preventing oxidative stress, aging, and cardiovascular diseases.

They also contain abundant polyphenol compounds such as carotene, vitamins B1, C, D, chlorophyll, folic acid, and gallic acid, providing excellent antioxidant effects.

Sancheong County was the first in the nation to complete geographical indication registration in the dried persimmon field (June 9, 2006, Korea Forest Service No. 3) and supports safe dried persimmon production through modernization of production facilities.

The main traditional persimmon variety of Sancheong dried persimmons, Sancheonggo Jongsil, was selected as Korea’s representative fruit for six consecutive years from 2016 to 2021.

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