Hwaseong School Meal Rice 'Suhyangmi' Harvested by Children Directly from Paddy Field

Hwaseong Special City (Mayor Jung Myung-geun) held a rice harvest experience event for its signature specialty product 'Suhyangmi' on the 23rd at the outdoor plaza of Dongtan Complex Cultural Center.

The event was conducted as part of the 'Paddy Walk Program,' where children followed up on spring rice planting by cutting and threshing rice in the autumn harvest season, directly experiencing the entire process of rice production through an urban ecological cycle in practice.

The 'Suhyangmi' harvested that day is rice provided to local childcare centers through the public food service support project. Through the experience in an urban setting, children directly harvested rice they normally consumed at school meals from the paddy field, learning the value of agricultural products and the importance of food.
During the experience, children participated in programs tailored to their level, including rice cutting, traditional threshing machine experiences, and learning about the rice production process. Additionally, an accompanying event was held at the outdoor plaza where children enjoyed flying traditional kites while feeling the autumn breeze.

Kim Jo-hyang, head of the Agriculture, Marine Affairs and Fisheries Bureau, said, "This experience provides children an opportunity to encounter farming culture that is difficult to experience in daily life, and to understand the dedication of farmers contained in the rice they eat every day. Through experiences spanning from rice planting to harvest, we hope children will appreciate the value of healthy food and agriculture."