Simmin, Imsil County Governor, Engages in Communication Administration at Red Chili Pepper Shipment Site

Inspection of Chili Processing Center Purchase Site and Listening to Farmers' Difficulties

Imsil County Office

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Nosik] Sim Min, the mayor of Imsil County, personally inspected the red chili pepper shipment site and initiated a communication administration to gather opinions from farmers struggling due to the prolonged rainy season.

On the 11th, according to the county, Mayor Sim visited the purchase site at the Imsil Chili Processing Center, where procurement is in full swing, to hear firsthand the voices of farmers facing difficulties not only in cultivating but also in harvesting chili peppers and to listen to their challenges.

This field visit was arranged to seek solutions through sincere dialogue with farmers who have faced significant difficulties in cultivation and production due to the concentrated heavy rains lasting over 50 days, which caused considerable damage.

Mr. A, a chili pepper farmer in Shindeok-myeon, expressed his difficulties, saying, “Due to the continuous rainy season, anthracnose and blight have worsened, and pollination has not occurred after flowering, leading to a decline in chili quality and a decrease in harvest volume.”

In response, Mayor Sim said, “First, I deeply appreciate the efforts of the farmers who have worked hard to cultivate and harvest premium Imsil chili peppers despite this year's prolonged rainy season and adverse conditions,” adding, “We will conduct more active joint pest control to prevent anthracnose and alleviate farmers' concerns to some extent.”

Additionally, he promised the farmers he met on-site, “We plan to purchase at the highest possible price to preserve farmers' income,” and “Imsil Chili & Agricultural Products Processing and Sales Co., Ltd. is equipped with the best processing facilities in Korea and will continue to gain consumer trust through differentiated product production, so we will spare no effort in providing active support.”

The county is currently contributing to stabilizing farm management by providing an additional shipment incentive of 300 KRW per kilogram for red chili peppers to encourage the production and purchase of high-quality chili peppers.

Imsil Chili & Agricultural Products Processing and Sales Co., Ltd. will purchase 1,350 tons of red chili peppers contracted with 848 local farms daily until the 29th of next month. However, it will be closed on Sundays.

‘Imsil Hongshil Chili’ has secured nationwide fame as a representative brand of Imsil County for over the past 10 years. The Imsil Chili Processing Center is preparing for the full-scale shipment of new chili powder and sliced dried chili peppers starting from the 16th.

Mayor Sim said, “We will actively listen to the difficulties faced by farmers struggling with chili cultivation and harvesting due to the prolonged rainy season and heavy rains and make every effort to provide active support.”

He added, “From cultivation to processing, we will do our best to ensure that all processes align with safe food production so that consumers can trust and enjoy Imsil chili peppers.”

Chili sales are scheduled to begin on the 17th, and consumers wishing to purchase can do so at the direct sales store (2399 Chunhyang-ro, Seongsu-myeon, Imsil County) or through the website and customer center.