Gokseong Baeksemi Selected as 'Best Award' in Eco-Friendly Agriculture Grand Prize Evaluation

Recognized in the Processing and Distribution Sector as an Eco-Friendly Farmer

[Gokseong=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Cha Jong-sun] Seokgok Agricultural Cooperative in Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Lee Sang-cheol) announced that it won the "Grand Prize" in the processing and distribution category for eco-friendly farmers at the 2022 Jeollanam-do Eco-friendly Agriculture Awards.

Seokgok Agricultural Cooperative introduced the Golden Queen No. 3 rice variety in 2016 and developed the brand Baeksemi. Baeksemi started with 101 farms cultivating 84 hectares and has now expanded to 302 farms covering 263 hectares. Through contract farming and purchasing the entire production, a stable cultivation and production base for farmers has been established.

Baeksemi is processed into high-quality rice and scorched rice using advanced facilities certified with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).

The processed Baeksemi and scorched rice are distributed through various channels such as Shinsegae Department Store, Nonghyup Hanaro Mart, Namdo Market, TV home shopping, NS Home Shopping, and YouTube.

This large-scale agricultural complex, which directly manages production and processing and pioneers diverse sales channels, received high praise.

A county official stated, "To enhance the brand awareness of Gokseong-gun's premium rice Baeksemi, we will actively cooperate with Seokgok Agricultural Cooperative to nurture it into a nationally renowned premium rice brand."

Since sales began in 2017, Baeksemi has received numerous awards including the Speaker of the National Assembly Award in 2017, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Award in 2018, and the Eco-friendly Agriculture Excellence Case Award in 2019. From 2020, it has been selected as one of the top 10 high-quality brand rices for three consecutive years, recognized as the nation's best premium brand rice.

Gokseong=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Cha Jong-sun hss79@asiae.co.kr