Hapcheon-gun Promotes Support and Development of Agricultural Research Associations by Crop Type

Apple Research Association Sets Consecutive Record High Auction Prices for Apples

Agricultural Research Association activities in Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongnam.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongnam Province is supporting and fostering item-specific agricultural research associations to enhance competitiveness by item and improve capabilities through the exchange of agricultural technology information and field training related to production, management, and distribution.

Members of the Apple Research Association are selecting and shipping stored apples ahead of the Lunar New Year. The apples (Myanmar variety, 20 kg) produced by Kim Juhyun, president of the Apple Research Association who cultivates apples in Maehwa-ri, Gaya-myeon, were auctioned at the ‘Andong Cheonggwa’ auction house on the 6th for 136,900 KRW per box and on the 9th for 140,000 KRW, setting the highest price each time they were shipped.

Vice President Oh Sangmok also recorded the highest price for a week by selling 10 kg of special-grade Fuji apples shipped to the Daegu wholesale market on January 4th for 81,500 KRW.

Additionally, the Apple Research Association was formed in 2021 centered around apple producers in Gaya-myeon and has been enhancing cultivation techniques through annual field training education.

In particular, the association’s activities are actively carried out thanks to President Kim and Vice President Oh, who are young farmers in their 30s.

President Kim of the Apple Research Association said, “The reason Hapcheon apples receive good prices at the wholesale market seems to be the result of inviting professional instructors for on-site education and consulting to foster the research association at the Hapcheon-gun Agricultural Technology Center.”

An official from the Agricultural Technology Center stated, “Currently, Hapcheon-gun has 198 members in 15 item-specific agricultural research associations, including a cherry research association, and we will continue to actively support the voluntary research and educational activities of the members regarding their crops.”