Yeongju, Land of Anti-Japanese Spirit, Honors the Meaning of Liberation
Early Harvest Expected to Boost Farmers' Income
On April 24, Yeongju City, North Gyeongsang Province, announced that it had held the "2025 8·15 Liberation Rice Cultivation Complex First Rice Planting Event" at the rice paddy of farmer Choi Ihan in Ogyeri, Anjeong-myeon, marking the beginning of this year's Liberation Rice production.
Yeongju City is conducting the first rice planting of the year for the 8.5 Liberation Rice. Photo by Yeongju City
The "8·15 Liberation Rice" is a Chuseok new-crop rice brand developed in 2012 through collaboration between Yeongju City and Anjeong Agricultural Cooperative to support farmers struggling due to rice market liberalization and falling farm-gate prices. It is one of Yeongju's representative specialty products.
This rice brand embodies two values: instilling patriotism in future generations by commemorating the significance of Liberation Day, and increasing farm income through early harvest.
The varieties being cultivated this year are Jinokbyeo, Haedambyeo, and Miryang396, all early-maturing types known for their strong resistance to pests and diseases and excellent taste, making them suitable for harvest before Chuseok.
The city, in cooperation with Anjeong Agricultural Cooperative (headed by Son Gieul), plans to establish contract cultivation complexes totaling 20 hectares in Anjeong-myeon and Jangsu-myeon, and produce approximately 120 tons of rice. In addition, the city will provide production incentives totaling 30 million won to reduce the burden on farmers and encourage rice cultivation.
Han Sangsook, director of the Agricultural Technology Center, said, "We will strengthen on-site guidance tailored to the characteristics of each variety to ensure the differentiated quality of Liberation Rice. By shipping early, we will increase added value, pioneer diverse sales channels, and further spread the reputation of 'Yeongju Rice' nationwide."
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