The first harvest of "Daesuk Malgeun" early-season new rice, grown in the pristine Damyang region at the headwaters of the Yeongsan River, got underway Thursday in Samji-ri, Bongsan-myeon.
The variety being harvested is "Haedamssal," an early-ripening cultivar developed by the Rural Development Administration, noted for its good taste and low protein content.
This year, 63 farming households are participating in the Daesuk Malgeun early-season new rice complex, cultivating a total area of 43 hectares. The Damyang-gun Agricultural Cooperative Rice Joint Business Corporation will purchase the entire harvest as unprocessed grain, then process and package it in 10-kilogram units for sale through Hanaro Mart outlets and other channels nationwide.
To ensure stable production of the early-season rice, the county used the Geumseong Agricultural Cooperative's shared seedling facility for early seedling cultivation and worked to prevent cold damage from low temperatures. It also provided 22 million won ($15,800) in seedling purchase subsidies to support high-quality new rice production and ease the financial burden on farming households.
"I am grateful for the hard work of the farmers who achieved this precious harvest despite unprecedented heat waves and drought," Damyang-gun Mayor Park Jong-won said. "We will work to expand distribution channels and promote Daesuk Malgeun early-season new rice so it can reach consumers' tables this chuseok as well."
sij@heraldcorp.com
