Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Farmer stresses innovative cultivation
Lee Dae-gun, president of Leedaebal Cymbidium Goeringii, examines an orchid at his firm in this photo taken on May 5. / Courtesy of Lee Dae-gun
By Yi Whan-woo
By Yi Whan-woo
Many people grow orchids in their homes to create a green environment but few acknowledge that it can be a killer product to overcome the massive inflow of agricultural products from abroad.
Lee Dae-gun, 45, a farmer with expertise in orchids, believes the flowers will provide an opportunity for the local agricultural industry to enhance its strength in the agricultural market.
“Don’t be afraid of the unfavorable circumstances against you, and instead focus on what you love and are passionate about,” Lee said in a phone interview with The Korea Times, Wednesday.
He was named the country’s most recognized farmer this year by the Human Resources Development Service for developing 39 new species of orchids.
The agency under the Ministry of Employment and Labor said his contribution “gave hope to the local orchid industry” that is dominated by cheap Chinese products.
“I just loved anything that is green, especially orchids, and that’s how I could accomplish such achievements,” said the president of Leedaebal Cymbidium Goeringii, a company named after a species of orchid he studied.
Lee stressed that the agricultural industry can play a key role for the “creative economy” once a number of famers focus on developing innovative methods of cultivation.
“For instance, the orchid was more than grass sold in a flowerpot to me when I first saw it,” he said. “It was rather a plant that few Koreans had expertise on but it can be a creative one if you do an extensive study in terms of cultivation methods.”
The native of Deagu says he was influenced by his uncle who ran a farm close to the city. Lee went to an occupational high school that nurtured farmers and agricultural craftsmen. He consistently pursued his study until 2011 when he earned a Ph. D in origin distinction of plants at Catholic University of Daegu.
The fact that farming was not welcomed as a prospective industry did not matter, he said.
“A number of people in my age group wanted to go to Seoul to get a white-collar job, but I was convinced I could succeed,” he said.