Complete Sell-Out of Gokseong Wasabi at Busan Urban Agriculture Expo
Selected as Item for Gwangju Nonghyup Hometown Love Donation Program, etc.
Gokseong Wasabi in Jeonnam is emerging as a new income crop alongside Gokseong's major specialized crops such as taro, melon, and strawberry.
Wasabi is a cold-temperature crop with an optimal growth temperature of 8~18℃, containing abundant vitamin C as well as Isothiocyanate, a component that provides spiciness and has a sterilizing effect that suppresses food poisoning.
'Gokseong Wasabi' was selected in 2023 for the Jeonnam Agricultural Research & Extension Services' 'Customized Future Strategic Income Crop Development Pilot' project and is being cultivated as a new income regional specialized crop with a budget of about 1 billion KRW over two years. The project includes wasabi seedling cultivation and demonstration research, field application trials, distribution commercialization, and shipment system establishment. In 2023, the name 'Gokseong Wasabi' was registered as a trademark.
Gokseong-gun has promoted Gokseong Wasabi by participating in various events and festivals such as the 'Gokseong Simcheong Children's Festival,' 'Ice Cream Festival,' and 'Seoul Farmers' Market' to expand sales channels.
In particular, at the '20th Busan Urban Agriculture Expo' held for three days from April 12, wasabi pickles, ssambap (rice wraps) using Baeksemi rice, and wasabi tea were showcased, with 200 sets of wasabi pickles selling out early.
Additionally, through collaboration with Ok Gwa Nonghyup, shipment contracts have been completed with seven branches of Gwangju Nonghyup, and the product is currently being sold at local food direct stores. Recently, it was selected as a 'Hometown Love Donation Product' by Buk Gwangju Nonghyup, establishing itself as a competitive item among specialty vegetables.
A county official stated, "We felt rewarded as this was an opportunity to reaffirm the competitiveness of Gokseong Wasabi through participation in various events and securing sales channels. In the future, we will expand support not only in cultivation technology but also in distribution and sales to ultimately create income for farmers through expanded distribution and the development of various processed products."
Gokseong = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Cha Jongseon hss79@asiae.co.kr
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