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Busan Agricultural Technology Center to Expand Cultivation Area of Busan Rice Variety ‘Hwanggeumyechan

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The Busan Agricultural Technology Center (hereinafter “the Center”) announced plans to expand the cultivation area of the locally specialized rice variety ‘Hwanggeumyechan’ from the current 20 hectares to 93 hectares.

‘Hwanggeumyechan’, which has been fostered as a locally specialized rice variety in Busan, was officially registered in March 2024. It is a semi-glutinous rice variety (a cross between non-glutinous and glutinous rice) with low amylose content, excellent stickiness, and superior taste, making it highly competitive as a representative rice variety of Busan.

To replace foreign varieties and foster locally specialized rice in Busan, the Center preemptively introduced ‘Hwanggeumyechan’ (formerly Milyang 387), developed by the Southern Crop Division of the National Institute of Crop Science, in 2022. Following regional adaptability and pilot cultivation trials, the Center established Busan’s first specialized rice cultivation area of 20 hectares.

Through the “2025 Early Expansion Pilot Project for Consumer-Participating Rice Varieties”, the Center plans not only to expand the cultivation area of ‘Hwanggeumyechan’ to 93 hectares, but also to support:

• ●The distribution of stable cultivation technologies,

• ●Various promotional activities, and

• ●The expansion of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certifications.

To promote stable cultivation, the Center provided training on March 21 covering the characteristics of the variety, appropriate fertilizer use timing, and post-harvest management. Additional education on pest control and water management is planned.

As part of its promotional activities, the Center will promote ‘Hwanggeumyechan’ at major events such as the 20th Busan Urban Agriculture Expo (April 3–6) and the Busan Farmers’ Conference (scheduled for the second half of the year). It is also coordinating with Gangseo-gu Office and school lunch program officials to explore expanding rice supply to school meals.

Furthermore, the Center aims to:

• ●Expand GAP certifications, which ensure safety from production to distribution so consumers can trust the quality, and

• ●Implement a full-contract cultivation system, where all harvested rice is shipped under pre-agreed terms, contributing to stable farm income.
  (Full-contract cultivation system: All harvested rice is shipped based on a prior agreement, which helps stabilize farmers’ income.)

Meanwhile, transplanting of rice seedlings in Busan is expected to begin in early May. For the ‘Hwanggeumyechan’ variety, transplanting is scheduled to begin around May 20, marking the start of full-scale high-quality rice production.

Generally known as rice planting, this process in Busan begins with seed sowing* and seedling cultivation** from late April, followed by transplanting in rice paddies from early May through early June.
(*Seed sowing: planting seeds | **Seedling cultivation: growing seedlings)

Yu Mi-bok, Director of the Agricultural Technology Center, stated,

“Through the early expansion pilot project for consumer-participating varieties, we are working to develop high-quality, great-tasting local rice cultivation zones to promote consumption and branding of local rice.”
She added,
“We hope citizens will show interest in and support for ‘Hwanggeumyechan’, a locally specialized variety grown in Busan, to help commercialize it and support our rice farmers.”

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[Appendix 1]

2025 Early Expansion Pilot Project for Consumer-Participating Rice Varieties – Overview

• ●Objective
  To promote early adoption of rice varieties through consumer participation (farmers, RPCs, school meal providers, etc.), expanding distribution and enhancing market competitiveness.

• ●Key Achievements (2022–2024)

• ○Introduction and pilot cultivation of a newly developed domestic variety representing Busan:

• ■(2022) Introduction and 0.6ha trial of the ‘Milyang 387’ variety

• ●Developer: Southern Crop Division, National Institute of Crop Science

• ●Yield: 569kg/10a

• ●Traits: Mid-late maturing semi-glutinous rice with complex disease resistance

• ○Advancement of cultivation manuals and expansion of cultivation area:

• ■(2023) Tailored growth characteristics and fertilizer guidelines for Busan

• ■(2023–2024) Expansion from 0.6ha → 20ha

• ●2025 Project Direction

• ○Expand consumer base to ensure early settlement and activation of the new variety

• ■Diversify sales channels beyond conventional purchase, such as school meals

• ■Provide technical guidance and introduce contract cultivation systems for stable supply

• ○Promote eco-friendly farming for sustainable agriculture

• ■Expand GAP certifications to ensure safety from production to distribution

• ●Expected Outcomes

• ○Increase high-quality rice production and distribution through expansion of regionally optimized varieties

• ○Establish a demand-based distribution system by linking farmers, RPCs, and consumers