Agriculture Minister Song Miryeong Visits Hamyang Apple Farms, Checks Growth and Harvest Conditions

Visited apple farms in Seoha-myeon on the 14th to check late-season apple crop and harvest conditions
Heard about cultivation challenges caused by abnormal weather... discussed support measures for stable production

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Miryeong visited apple-growing farms in Seoha-myeon, Hamyang County, South Gyeongsang Province, on October 14 to check the growth and harvest conditions of late-season apples and hear farmers’ views from the field.

According to Hamyang County, the visit was arranged to assess this year’s apple crop as the main harvest season for late-season apples gets underway, and to discuss farmers’ difficulties and possible responses to changing growing conditions, including high temperatures and abnormal weather.

[Photo provided by Hamyang County] Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Miryeong visited an apple farm in Seoha-myeon, Hamyang County, South Gyeongsang Province, on the 14th to inspect the growth and harvest conditions of late-season apples. She also heard farmers’ views on the challenges of cultivation due to unusual weather and ways to ensure stable production.

Attendees included Minister Song; Seo Junhan, Director General for Distribution and Consumer Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; Lee Donghun, head of the Apple Research Center at the Rural Development Administration; Jo Hyeonjung, head of the Balanced Development Headquarters of Gyeongsangnam-do; Hong Yeongseok, director of smart agriculture at Gyeongsangnam-do; Yang Sangho, Vice County Governor of Hamyang; Lee Yeonghui, head of the Hamyang County Agricultural Technology Center; and local apple growers.

Minister Song first received a briefing on Hamyang County’s efforts to ensure stable apple production and related conditions.

She then toured an orchard with farmers, inspected the growth of the apples and progress of the harvest, and heard about difficulties encountered during cultivation and requests from the field.

She also sampled apples produced locally and exchanged views on measures to establish a stable production base in response to climate change and support the production of high-quality apples.

As changes in weather conditions, including high temperatures and abnormal weather, have affected fruit cultivation, the need for stable production management and support for cultivation techniques has been raised.

Hamyang County plans to continue providing guidance on farming techniques and supporting production infrastructure based on feedback from the agricultural sector.

A county official said, "Uncertainty in growing conditions for fruit crops has increased recently due to high temperatures and abnormal weather. We will reflect farmers’ views, strengthen guidance on farming techniques and support for production infrastructure, and work to ensure stable apple production."

The field visit was significant in that it directly assessed farms’ crop conditions and growing circumstances during the harvest season for late-season apples.

In particular, as concerns over unstable production due to high temperatures and abnormal weather continue to be raised, attention will focus on how much farmers’ feedback gathered in the field is incorporated into specific policies, including support for cultivation techniques and improvements to production infrastructure.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.