[KNN News] Challenging ‘Strawberry Royalty Zero’

{Anchor: In greenhouse farms, these days, winter strawberries are being shipped in earnest. Recently, the domestic strawberry distribution rate has exceeded 90%, and 100% domestic strawberry cultivation will soon become a reality. This is reporter Choi Gwang-soo.} {Report} Twenty years ago, strawberries were in season in early June, around Memorial Day. Nowadays, strawberries are in season in the middle of winter. The peak strawberry harvest season is from now until February of next year. The last strawberries are shipped until May. {Jo Myeong-rae (strawberry farmer)/In the past, because of the lack of technology, strawberries did not bloom continuously and took a long break, but now that we share (technology), flowers bloom continuously (and the harvest has increased..)} About ten years ago, in 2005, the distribution rate of domestic strawberries such as Seolhyang and Maehyang was only 9%. However, last year, the distribution rate of domestic strawberries exceeded 90%. The royalty burden that farmers have to pay for importing strawberry seeds from overseas has decreased from 3.2 billion won in 2005 to 250 million won this year. This means that the actual income of strawberry farmers has increased. The Rural Development Administration is conducting a pilot distribution of 'Top-and-Chae Strawberries' in order to further increase the income of strawberry farmers. The plan is to present the best premium strawberries through systematic education and thorough distribution management. {Kim Im-gyeong, Rural Development Administration instructor} "Trust with Topgwachae. Farmers' income increases" Strawberry farmers are challenging zero royalties through the production of high-quality 'Topgwachae strawberries'. This is KNN Choi Gwang-soo.