Boseong-gun Begins This Year’s First Transplanting of "Wungchi All-Byeo" Rice

Boseong-gun, South Jeolla Province, announced on April 16 that the first rice seedling transplanting for the production of the 2026 Wungchi All-Byeo rice was carried out on April 14 at the farm of Yongsoo Park in Daesan-ri, Ungchi-myeon.

Starting with this initial transplanting, approximately 120 farms are expected to cultivate Wungchi All-Byeo rice on a total area of 130 hectares by early May, with harvesting scheduled to begin in mid-August.

At the farm of Yongsu Park in Daesan-ri, Ungchi-myeon, Boseong County, the first rice transplanting for the 2026 Ungchi Olbye rice production is underway. Provided by Boseong County

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Wungchi All-Byeo rice is characterized by its early transplanting, which begins in mid-April, about two weeks ahead of regular rice varieties. Only glutinous rice, carefully selected before full maturity, is harvested. The harvested rice is steamed in traditional iron cauldrons and then naturally sun-dried, a traditional milling method that maximizes the grain's unique flavor and nutritional value.

In particular, Wungchi All-Byeo rice is utilized not only as table rice but also in a variety of processed foods such as nurungji (scorched rice), snacks, and powdered meals. Recently, amid growing health consciousness, it has gained popularity as a functional rice recognized for its anticancer and weight loss benefits, making it a sought-after gift for holidays and a popular healthy snack.

Recognized for its excellence, Wungchi All-Byeo rice was registered as No. 71 in the agricultural product geographical indication system in 2010, and it now accounts for over 70% of the nationwide All-Byeo rice production, firmly establishing itself as a leading regional specialty crop.

Kim Youngran, head of Ungchi-myeon, stated, "As rice prices remain stable this year, the predictability of farm management has increased. The unity and creative efforts of local farmers will drive future growth. We hope that Wungchi All-Byeo rice will become more familiar to consumers nationwide and be recognized as Korea's representative functional rice."

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