The harvest of this year's new rice began today (July 30) in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province.

According to the city of Boryeong, the Manse Boryeong Agricultural Cooperative Rice Combination Business Corporation held a harvest demonstration event for Pareumi-2 in Jinjuk-ri, Cheongso-myeon today.

Pareumi-2 is an ultra-early-maturing rice variety developed by the South Chungcheong Agricultural Research and Extension Services by crossing domestic and foreign early-maturing varieties, allowing it to be harvested in around 80 days after rice planting.

With a low amylose content of 11.6%, the cooked rice is chewy and flavorful.

In particular, its short cultivation period reduces water usage by 59.6% and methane emissions by 36.5% compared to late-maturing varieties, drawing attention as a new solution for eco-friendly agriculture in the era of the climate crisis.

The cultivation area for Pareumi-2 in the Boryeong region has expanded from 6 hectares when it first started as a pilot cultivation in 2024 to 22 hectares this year.

The Boryeong Woori Wheat Farming Association, composed of young farmers with an average age of 33, is leading the cultivation in Cheongso-myeon, Ocheon-myeon, and Cheonbuk-myeon.

Pareumi-2 harvested starting today will be processed by the joint business corporation and is scheduled to be released early next month at the Nonghyup Hanaro Mart in Yangjae-dong, Seoul.

It will then be sold through major domestic online shopping malls and large supermarkets nationwide.
 
(Photo provided by Boryeong City, Yonhap News)