Chorokmaeul Launches 'Ieum Project' to Share Our Seeds and Continue Value

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Sunghye] Chorokmaeul announced on the 5th that it will launch the ‘Ieum Project’.

The Ieum Project is being conducted by Chorokmaeul to share stories about our seeds (native seeds that have grown on our land for over 30 years without crossbreeding), our food, and our farmers, and to continue the value of these connections.

As the first step of the Ieum Project, Chorokmaeul is conducting ‘Native Grain Funding’ together with Nongsafund. Nongsafund is a crowdfunding platform that connects urban consumers and farmers. Consumers invest in farmers’ agricultural plans, and after harvest, they receive agricultural products in return.

Through ‘Native Grain Funding,’ Chorokmaeul provides farmers who cultivate crops using our seeds with a stable cultivation environment, and offers customers a valuable activity to protect our seeds and support farmers, along with a special experience of native agricultural products.

Chorokmaeul supports the funding fees for farmers participating in ‘Native Grain Funding.’ It compensates for fees equivalent to 15% of the funding amount to help maximize farmers’ profits.

Customers participating in the funding will receive ▲2kg of wheat flour ▲5kg of rice ▲1kg of soybeans ▲1kg of either sorghum or job’s tears (choose one) ▲500g of red beans, each delivered during their respective harvest seasons. In particular, rice, soybeans, sorghum/job’s tears, and red beans can be selected by type.

Additionally, a ‘Native Garden Kit’ that can be easily cultivated at home is also provided. Customers wishing to participate in ‘Native Grain Funding’ can join by clicking ‘Participate in Funding’ on the Ieum Project special page within the Chorokmaeul shopping mall by August 12.

As the second phase of the Ieum Project, Chorokmaeul plans to introduce the ‘Chorokmaeul Flea Market.’ This will provide customers with the opportunity to see and purchase agricultural products grown from our seeds directly at Chorokmaeul stores.

A Chorokmaeul official stated, “Chorokmaeul will continue to share various stories to protect our gradually disappearing native seeds,” and added, “We hope many customers will participate in the ‘Ieum Project,’ which supports farmers who carry on the value of our seeds and shares carefully cultivated native agricultural products.”