Characterized by Excellent Milling Yield and Eating Quality,
Strong Resistance to Pests and Diseases,
High Productivity and Superior Lodging Resistance
Sacheon City in South Gyeongsang Province announced on August 11 that it held the first rice (Ppareumi) harvest event of 2025 in the area of 1434-4, Dapyeong-ri, Seopo-myeon.
This harvest was the earliest rice cutting event in the region. More than 20 participants, including the Sacheon Agricultural Technology Center, the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (Nonghyup), and local farmers, took part in the harvest and also held a briefing session on the early cultivation process.
The early-maturing rice variety 'Ppareumi (Chungnam No. 4)' was developed in 2018 by the Chungnam Agricultural Research and Extension Services. It is characterized by excellent milling yield and eating quality, strong resistance to pests and diseases, high productivity, and superior lodging resistance.
The farmer who harvested this crop is Song Juhan, age 55, who successfully completed the harvest after 88 days by sowing seeds on April 13 and transplanting seedlings on May 13 in a paddy field of approximately 1.2 hectares. This achievement demonstrated the potential of proactive climate adaptation farming methods.
In particular, in addition to 'Ppareumi', about 30 hectares of another early-maturing rice variety, 'Haedam-byeo', are currently being cultivated in the Seopo-myeon area, with full-scale harvesting scheduled to begin in mid-August. This is expected to enable the region to secure an advantage in early shipment and distribution competitiveness.
Through the Ppareumi harvest, Sacheon City is confirming the potential for climate change response and the expansion of early cultivation practices. In addition to this early harvest, the city plans to distribute Ppareumi rice through local food direct sales and Seopo Nonghyup, and will actively provide technical support and promote the wider dissemination of Ppareumi to enhance its quality and stabilize production.
Mayor Dongsik Park stated, "This early harvest of 'Ppareumi' will greatly help reduce agricultural water usage, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and ease the labor burden on farmers." He added, "We will continue to expand early rice cultivation to gain an edge in the freshly harvested rice market and do our utmost to strengthen the competitiveness of local agriculture."
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