Being around 4,000 kilometers north of the equator hasn’t stopped one South Korean paprika grower from succeeding at cultivating bananas, one of the most representative fruits of the tropics. (Image: Yonhap)
HADONG, April 2 (Korea Bizwire) — Being around 4,000 kilometers north of the equator hasn’t stopped one South Korean paprika grower from succeeding at cultivating bananas, one of the most representative fruits of the tropics.
The South Korean bananas hail from the paprika and cucumber farm of sixty-year-old Ha Dong-gyoon, a farmer based about 330 kilometers south of Seoul in Hadong County, South Gyeongsang Province.
Grown organically and through environmentally-friendly procedures, Ha’s banana crop carries advantages over imported produce, and 1kg is expected to be cost up to 2,500 won more.
Speaking at his Hadong farm on Sunday, Ha said his banana crop will go on sale soon. (Image: Yonhap)
Foreign-grown bananas are picked before maturation and shipped, so a ripening process before selling is required. According to general industry practices, it takes around a month for sellers to receive shipments of bananas and to put them out on the market. In contrast, Ha’s bananas can be sold directly without having to be ripened.
Speaking at his Hadong farm on Sunday, Ha said his banana crop will go on sale soon.
Grown organically and through environmentally-friendly procedures, Ha’s banana crop carries advantages over imported produce, and 1kg is expected to be cost up to 2,500 won more. (Image: Yonhap)
Known for its designation as a “Slow City”, Hadong County is sandwiched by protected wilderness. To its north towers Jirisan National Park, while in the south one can find the coastal Hallyeohaesang National Park.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
