The Chungbuk Agricultural Research and Extension Services (Director Cho Eun-hee) held a "Field Evaluation for High-Quality Rice Breeding Lines" on Wednesday, the 16th, at its experimental field (46 Gagok-gil, Ochang-eup, Cheongju-si) with about 30 participants, including local farmers and officials from city and county agricultural technology centers.

This evaluation was prepared to foster excellent new rice varieties optimized for the climate and soil of the Chungbuk region and to enhance the competitiveness of the Chungbuk rice industry by expanding supply to farms.

"Chungbuk No. 1," independently bred by the Chungbuk Agricultural Research and Extension Services, is a mid-late maturing variety crossed between "Chamdream" and "Mineasahi." It is a new variety boasting high grain transparency, a clean appearance, and superior taste, with a taste score surpassing standard varieties such as Samgwang and Chamdream.

In addition, it has strong resistance to bacterial blight (K1–K3) and stripe virus, and is highly resistant to lodging, ensuring exceptional cultivation stability. Above all, its pre-harvest sprouting rate is remarkably low at 22.5% compared to other varieties (47–52%), making it highly advantageous against abnormal weather such as autumn monsoons.

The Provincial Agricultural Research and Extension Services plans to gather opinions from farmers and experts at this field evaluation to explore ways to foster region-tailored rice industries.

Following this, the institute plans to apply for variety protection of "Chungbuk No. 1" to the Korea Seed and Variety Service this December, conduct a demand survey for seeds across cities and counties in the province, and establish on-site supply infrastructure and cultivation manuals.

"‘Chungbuk No. 1’ is an elite variety that is resistant to pests and climate change while offering exceptional taste," said Han Woo-ri, a researcher at the Provincial Agricultural Research and Extension Services. "We will do our best to actively expand on-site distribution and strengthen promotion in the province so that ‘Chungbuk No. 1’ can establish itself as a regional specialty premium rice."

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