South Korea: Rural Development Administration expands distribution of domestic persimmon varieties

(Jeonju=Yonhap News) Reporter Jeong Gyeong-jae = The Rural Development Administration announced on the 12th that it plans to expand the distribution of domestic persimmon varieties that meet consumer tastes and farm demands. According to the Rural Development Administration, the absolute majority of persimmons currently cultivated in Korea, 79%, are the 'Buyu' variety imported from Japan. In order to replace them, the Rural Development Administration has developed domestic persimmon varieties such as 'Gampung' and 'Bonghwang' and is working to expand their distribution by establishing specialized cultivation complexes. First, 'Gampung' is a variety developed with the intention of creating a 'breath of fresh air in the persimmon industry' and is characterized by having both a crispness and softness that are difficult to feel in Buyu varieties. It is also larger than regular persimmons, allowing for a large production volume, and is cultivated on approximately 354 hectares, the ...