Mungyeong Omija Produces 5 Tons of High-Quality Fresh Fruit Annually Using ICT Smart Technology

Omija, cultivated at altitudes of 500–600m in Dongno-myeon, Mungyeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is accelerating its entry into the global market by combining with advanced technology. According to a video from the Korea Forest Service, Im Jeong-su, CEO of Keundeul, has introduced an ICT (Information and Communications Technology) smart control system to precisely manage the Omija cultivation environment, stably producing approximately 5 tons of high-quality fresh fruit annually.

Parallel Implementation of Smart Control Systems and Mountainous Cultivation Research

The Mungyeong Omija industry laid its foundation in 1989 by transitioning from wild Omija to plain-land open-field cultivation. Inheriting his father's pioneering spirit, CEO Im Jeong-su has integrated modern technology into the cultivation methods. To manage water, a core element of Omija cultivation, a smart control system was established at the farm, which precisely regulates temperature and humidity to reduce labor and increase productivity.

In particular, new research is underway to respond to climate warming. While plain-land cultivation was predominant in the past, they are continuing trial cultivation to verify whether mountainous cultivation is possible again in a forest area of approximately 200 pyeong, in response to the changing environment. This is interpreted as a move to preemptively respond to changes in the crop's growth environment.

Productization Using Nano-dispersion Technology and Global Market Expansion

Beyond simple raw material cultivation, the focus is also on creating high value-added products through processing technology. CEO Im has secured various product lines, such as Omija beverages, Omija syrup, and Omija collagen, by applying a patented Omija powder manufacturing process and nano-dispersion technology that increases absorption rates. These products have been recognized for their quality and stability through HACCP, FSSC22000, and K-FOREST certifications.

Based on the secured quality reliability, efforts to pioneer overseas markets are active. Currently, they have entered five Southeast Asian countries and Japan, and are preparing for negotiations with the United States market and entry into the India market. Furthermore, they are conducting eco-friendly ESG management and industry-academic cooperation, such as researching functional products like cosmetics using by-products generated during the Omija extraction process. CEO Im is promoting coexistence with local foresters by providing the established smart control system know-how to local forest households free of charge.