Field crop management support project implemented for 2 years… Improving quality and securing stable apple production and supply capabilities

The article highlights the success of the Yeongju Agricultural Cooperative and the Apple Public Selection Association in improving farm income and enhancing apple production capacity, despite challenges like cold damage and climate change. The cooperation's investment in facilities and equipment, supported by the Field Crop Management Support Project, has led to increased storage capacity, efficient sorting, and reduced logistics costs for farmers. This has significantly improved farmers' income and satisfaction. The initiative has also strengthened through education and consulting, with a notable increase in participating farms and handling value of apples shipped. The collaboration between Yeongju City, related organizations, and apple experts has been crucial in achieving these results, emphasizing the importance of organized farming and scaled joint management in enhancing agricultural competitiveness and resilience.

Cold storage storage capacity expanded to 2,200 tons, non-destructive sugar content measurement automatic sorting machine introduced, easily processing 6 apples per second, daily average sorting capacity increased from 12 to 30 tons, started with 97 farms in 2008, number of participating farms increased to 248 as of now, the public election association has achieved results of increasing farm income, as well as strengthening capacity through education and consulting, and ‘satisfaction’ shined even brighter in a crisis situation. This is the story of farms in Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, ‘Yeongju Agricultural Cooperative’ and ‘Yeongju Agricultural Cooperative Apple Public Selection Association (hereinafter referred to as the Public Selection Association)’. Last year, when apple production plummeted due to cold damage, and amidst the rapid waves of climate change, farms belonging to the Yeongju Agricultural Cooperative Public Selection Association minimized the impact based on ...