Imsil County Begins Full-Scale Harvest of Subtropical Fruit 'Apple Mango'

Apple Mangoes Emerge as a New Source of Income for Farmers
Imsil County Succeeds in Subtropical Fruit Cultivation Despite Harsh Winters
Pilot Project Expands with Direct Sales and Technical Support

Imsil County in North Jeolla Province announced on the 25th that it has officially begun shipping 'Apple Mango,' a subtropical fruit introduced on a trial basis to respond to climate change and rural aging.

Apple mango, a subtropical fruit that Imsil County introduced on a trial basis to respond to climate change and rural aging, has begun full-scale shipment. Photo by Imsil County

In particular, despite the local conditions of heavy snowfall and low temperatures in winter, which make it difficult to cultivate subtropical crops, Imsil County succeeded in growing apple mangoes through continuous research and experimentation. The fruit has now established itself as a new source of income for local farmers. Apple mangoes produced in Imsil are highly popular among consumers due to their high sugar content, distinctive aroma, and soft flesh.

In response to climate change, including global warming, and shifting consumer patterns, the county has led the way since 2021 by launching a pilot project to create a 3,995-square-meter subtropical fruit orchard. Currently, three farms are cultivating apple mangoes, and one farm is growing Redhyang.

To establish suitable varieties and cultivation techniques for the local environment, the county is accelerating efforts to build a stable production base by providing on-site consulting for subtropical crops such as apple mangoes at each stage of crop growth.

Taking into account the economic feasibility, including initial facility investment and winter heating costs, the county plans to continuously review the potential for cultivating subtropical fruits. By collaborating with related organizations such as the Rural Development Administration, it also aims to disseminate cultivation techniques and focus on producing high-quality subtropical fruits.

Additionally, the county will provide multifaceted support to ensure consumers can easily access subtropical fruits produced in Imsil by promoting direct transactions between farmers and consumers, online sales, and marketing through local festivals.

Choi Jeongim, an apple mango grower, said, "This year, we are harvesting 20 to 30 fruits per tree," and added, "I will continue to participate in cultivation training and increase production to meet the size and sweetness preferred by consumers."

Compared to tomatoes, apple mangoes require less hands-on care and are known to be highly profitable, with a 3-kilogram box selling for over 120,000 won. Although about half of the operating costs go toward heating, making energy expenses a burden, farmers report a high level of satisfaction. In addition, since the fruit is produced domestically, the time required for post-harvest transportation and storage has been reduced, and consumers' trust in safe cultivation has led to growing market interest.

County Governor Sim Min stated, "The harvest of apple mangoes and the establishment of subtropical fruit orchards in our county are exemplary cases of creating new income crops in response to climate change," adding, "We will do our utmost to create new sources of income for local agriculture by establishing cultivation techniques and continuously reviewing the potential for growing subtropical fruits."

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