A Buckwheat Business Cooperative Will Be Established in Jeju, the Buckwheat Production Hub

(Jeju=Yonhap News) Jeon Ji-hye, Reporter = A Jeju Buckwheat Business Cooperative will be established, covering the entire process from buckwheat procurement to processing, distribution, and sales in Jeju, a major buckwheat production area.

On the 17th, Jeju Province signed a business agreement with the National Credit Union Central Association and the Korea Social Enterprise Promotion Agency at the Tamna Hall of the provincial government building to "spread the value of Jeju's buckwheat industry and promote regional mutual growth."

Although Jeju accounts for about 60% of the nation's buckwheat production, the lack of processing facilities means that 87% of buckwheat produced in Jeju is currently processed outside the island.

This has prevented the full utilization of Jeju's value as a buckwheat production region.

This agreement was prepared to resolve these issues and systematically nurture and revitalize Jeju's buckwheat industry.

The agreement includes joint discovery and promotion of projects for buckwheat industry revitalization, social value realization, regional value expansion education cooperation, and joint cooperation on major policies such as hometown love donation and other initiatives.

The key point of the agreement is for Jeju Province, the National Credit Union Central Association, and the Korea Social Enterprise Promotion Agency to collaborate in establishing the tentatively named "Jeju Buckwheat Business Cooperative."

The cooperative will have Jeju buckwheat producers as members, handling buckwheat procurement, processing (milling and product development), and market support to ensure added value is returned to producers and the Jeju region.

The province will be responsible for administrative and facility support and infrastructure support such as statistical data provision, while the National Credit Union Central Association will oversee the project as part of its social economic revitalization initiative, supporting initial operating costs, and providing financial, operational, and marketing assistance.

The Korea Social Enterprise Promotion Agency will support the establishment of the social cooperative.

The province expects effects such as increased producer income, job creation, and product price competitiveness through direct producer processing.

Governor Oh Young-hoon emphasized, "Buckwheat has great potential to develop into a region-specific industry when combined with Jeju's pristine environment," an