The guava harvest is underway here in Jeju. As Mike Balfour now reports, climate change is slowly changing the face of the local fruit industry.



Report

[slug] Sineom-ri in Aewol-eup, Jeju City

With the progression of autumn, the Jeju fruit harvest is in full gear. Farmers are busy at this greenhouse.

[slug] Guava: tropical fruit rich in vitamin C

The yellow round fruit are guavas.

They are a tropical fruit originally cultivated in Latin America.

Their sugar content can be as high as 18 brix, making it a highly valued product.

They are good source of vitamin C - about 3 to 4 times more vitamin C than a strawberry.

INTERVIEW
Baek Heung-gwan / Guava grower
This healthy fruit has long been used as an herbal medicine to prevent colds and to cure excema.
< 백흥관 / 구아바 재배 농가 >
예로부터 영양식 내지 건강식으로, 또는 약용으로 이용해 왔던 작물입니다. 감기 예방이나 아토피에 좋다고 합니다.

[slug] Fruit price set at \15,000/kg

All parts of the guava, including the fruit, leaves and stems are edible and used in herbal medicines.

The sale price for ripe guava fruit is set at 15,000 won per kilogram, a lucrative business for guava farmers.

Dried leaves sell between 30,000 and 40,000 won per kilogram. The leaves are harvested during winter and enjoyed in tea.

Because they are not as vulnerable to pests and insects compared to other crops, guava trees are considered a perfect choice for aging rural areas.

INTERVIEW
Park Seong-an / Jeju Agricultural Research & Extension Services
Here in Jeju, there is no need to heat the greenhouse or spray pesticide. Guava trees need only a windbreak and shelter. They can be grown organically.
< 박성안 / 제주농업기술센터 기술보급담당 >
육지부는 가온해서 유류비가 들어가는데 제주에서는 바람만 막아주고 비가림 재배하면 병충해에도 강해서 친환경으로 재배하는 데 유리합니다.

[slug]
Other tropical fruit being grown in Jeju

Along with guava farming, local farmers have succeeded in farming other tropical fruits like mango, dragon fruit and bananas.

This year, the island attempted to grow red bayberry and hikama.

[REPORTER] Make Balfour
[CAMERA] Hyeon Gwang-hoon

Climate change is contributing to the diversification of fruit production in Jeju.

Mike Balfour, KCTV