Gangjin County to Maintain 'Saechungmu' as Sole Variety for 2027 Public Grain Reserve Rice

Considering Seed Supply Stability and Practical Applicability

Gangjin County in South Jeolla Province has decided to maintain 'Saechungmu' as the sole variety for the 2027 public grain reserve rice purchase. This decision prioritizes the stability of seed supply and the practical applicability for local farmers.

Gangjin County announced on the 25th that it recently held a review meeting in the small conference room of the county office to select the rice varieties for the public grain reserve, and reached this conclusion.

On the 22nd, a review meeting for selecting the 2027 public grain reserve rice varieties was held in the small conference room of Gangjin County Office. Provided by Gangjin County

During the review, several candidate varieties were considered, including Saechungmu, Jomyeong No. 1, Yeonghojinmi, and Sindongjin. The committee also discussed the potential risks of continuous cropping and pest outbreaks associated with cultivating a single variety, as well as the need to introduce a second variety.

Jomyeong No. 1 was reviewed as a potential second variety. However, due to the characteristics of early-maturing rice and the impact of abnormal weather patterns, it was confirmed that stable seed supply from the seed center has been difficult over the past three years, so it was excluded. As a result, the committee agreed to prioritize maintaining Saechungmu as the sole variety, taking into account various factors such as the availability of certified seeds, the possibility of distributing farming work during the season, resistance to pests and diseases, and minimizing confusion among farmers. However, the search for alternative varieties with stable seed supply will continue as a mid- to long-term task.

Separately from the public grain reserve rice, Gangjin County also plans to focus on cultivating high-quality specialty rice, 'Mihobyeo.' In 2026, the total cultivation area for Mihobyeo will be 550 hectares, consisting of 450 hectares under conventional farming and 100 hectares under organic farming. Kim Daluk, CEO of Gangjin County Agricultural Cooperative Rice Joint Business Corporation, said, "Mihobyeo is a differentiated, high-quality rice with strong market competitiveness," adding, "We will gradually expand the cultivation area to 1,000 hectares."

Yoon Youngmun, Head of the Agricultural Policy Division of Gangjin County, stated, "Stability is the top priority for the public grain reserve rice," and added, "We will strive to increase farmers' income by selecting varieties that reflect practical conditions, responding to pests and diseases, discovering new varieties, and fostering high-quality rice."