![Officials from Gyeongbuk Science University, Chilgok-gun and local oriental melon growers' organizations pose for a photo after signing an MOU to establish an export-oriented oriental melon pilot complex on Wednesday. [Gyeongbuk Science University]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/11/13/news-p.v1.20261113.fbaca20bbc7b431f82a1340ff948481c_P1.jpg)
Gyeongbuk Science University has joined forces with Chilgok-gun and local oriental melon producers to establish a pilot complex for growing export-grade oriental melons.
The university signed an MOU Wednesday at its central building with Chilgok-gun and five other institutions and organizations, including the Chilgok Oriental Melon Development Research Association, to build and operate a pilot complex for cultivating oriental melon varieties suited for overseas markets.
The agreement aims to combine the university's research capabilities, the local government's administrative support and farmers' cultivation technology to secure varieties and production and distribution technology tailored to international markets.
Participating institutions plan to compare growth performance, output, sugar content, firmness and shelf life across different varieties at the pilot complex, using smart cultivation data and quality analysis to select varieties best suited for exports.
Quality changes during post-harvest storage, packaging and logistics will also be assessed.
Gyeongbuk Science University will handle trial cultivation, quality evaluation, and storage and logistics research, while Chilgok-gun and the producers' organizations will provide administrative support and on-site verification.
"We will apply the university's research outcomes directly to farming operations to boost farm household income and strengthen the competitiveness of the regional industry," President Jeong Eun-jae said. "We will focus on developing practical technology that farmers can use, verified across the entire chain from production to distribution."
kbj7653@heraldcorp.com
