Gangwon Agricultural Technology and Extension Services, distributing new sweet potato variety 'Hopungmi' to local farmers...promising variety attracting attention as a substitute for Japanese products

The Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Agricultural Technology Institute (Director Kim Dong-hoon) announced on the 18th that it will distribute 3.6 tons (4.8 hectares worth) of the new sweet potato variety 'Hopungmi' seeds to local farmers for the 2025 crop. The distribution will be handled through the county agricultural technology centers, with the application period ending on November 20. The actual distribution is scheduled for early December. The new variety 'Hopungmi' is a sweet potato developed by the National Institute of Crop Science under the Rural Development Administration in 2021. It has a red skin and a light orange flesh, and is a pumpkin-shaped sweet potato. It has a high sugar content and good taste, which has garnered high consumer preference, and its yield is 12% higher (3.4 tons per 10 acres) compared to the existing variety 'Hogammi', making it highly productive. Additionally, it is resistant to major diseases such as vine wilt and late blight, ensuring ...