Naju City, Seji Nonghyup Melon Cooperative and Algyok Farming Association Receive 'Presidential Citation'

Naju City in Jeollanam-do recently received the Presidential Citation at the ‘28th Farmers' Day’ ceremony held at the National Agricultural Museum in Suwon, awarded to the Seji Nonghyup Melon Cooperative Shipping Association and the Algok Farming Association Corporation.

According to the city on the 14th, Farmers' Day has been designated as a legal commemorative day on November 11 every year since 1996 to enhance farmers' pride and dignity and to reflect on the importance of agriculture.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae of Naju City is taking a commemorative photo while encouraging the Seji Nonghyup Melon Cooperative Shipping Association, the representative and officials of Algok Agricultural Corporation, who received the Presidential Citation at the 28th Farmers' Day ceremony.
[Photo by Naju City]

The Seji Nonghyup Melon Cooperative Shipping Association, which received the award in the agricultural distribution sector, was established in 1996 and currently has about 70 members.

Naju Seji Melon is cultivated on a total area of 62 hectares by about 70 farms, producing approximately 3,200 tons annually. With an average annual temperature of 15 degrees Celsius and abundant sunlight, it has optimal geographical conditions for melon cultivation.

Only products with a sweet aroma, rich juice, and sweetness of over 15 Brix are distributed and sold, firmly establishing it as a high-quality fruit brand.

From last month until July next year, melons are cultivated in 2.5 cropping cycles, with winter melons accounting for about 80% of the national production.

The secret to Seji Melon's success lies in its thorough cooperative system. Cooperative members have worked hard to standardize melon quality through joint sorting, joint shipping, and joint settlement systems.

By distributing the highest quality melons nationwide through excellent variety discovery and variety regulation, including GAP certification for agricultural products, they produced 3,196 tons of melons last year, achieving sales of 19.1 billion KRW.

Established in 2012 in Seji-myeon, the Algok Farming Association Corporation was honored with the Presidential Citation in the field of food industry development.

With about 80 field farming members adopting a joint management system, they have promoted increased farm income by standardizing the quality of food crops such as soybeans, red beans, and rapeseed on 62 hectares, and were recognized for contributing to the development of the food industry by expanding non-rice crop cultivation.

In 2021, through a business agreement with Naju City, they have contributed to the healthy food industry by supplying Non-GMO rapeseed oil to school meals.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae met with Seji Nonghyup Chairman Lee Eun-sang, Melon Cooperative Shipping Association Chairman Kim Byung-oh, and Algok Farming Association Corporation CEO Choi Jung-woong at the city hall the day before to congratulate them on receiving the Presidential Citation.

Mayor Yoon said, “On the occasion of the 28th Farmers' Day, I congratulate the members of the Seji Nonghyup Melon Cooperative Shipping Association and Algok Farming Association Corporation who received the highest honors in this field,” adding, “I thank the farmers who have elevated the status, pride, and excellence of the Naju agricultural brand through the Presidential Citation.”

He continued, “We will spare no interest and support to create a livable rural area so that farmers who have protected Naju’s key industry, agriculture, can have pride and dignity.”

Naju = Lee Han-hyuk, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy baekok@asiae.co.kr