조선후기 농서를 통해 본 고구마 재배기술

Abstract

Sweet potatoes were first introduced into Chosun Dynasty in 1763 by Cho Um. Needless to say, the success any foodstuff in famine relief depends on its efficient cultivation and rapid nationwide introduction, which was no exception for sweet potatoes. Nevertheless, the initial stage of cultivation and introduction of sweet potatoes was very slow and unproductive. Poor knowledge and awareness of sweet potatoes among peasants, insufficient effort by the government to push the spread of sweet potatoes, and the absence of successful cultivation techniques were the apparent problems behind the poor success of sweet potatoes. There emerged, however, a group of individuals who took the initiatives to solve some of these problems. Most were Chosun’s scholars with particular interest in agriculture. They were, in general, very practical and keen, with great understanding and grasp of many of their current problematic situations. Recognizing their social responsibility as respected scholars, these individuals took the lead in making cultivation and introduction of sweet potatoes successful. They started cultivating sweet potatoes themselves and developed the conditions suitable for optimal growth. In addition, the scholars published and promoted a guide book for successful cultivation of sweet potatoes, in which they not only described how to grow sweet potatoes, but also emphasized the benefits of sweet potatoes as relief food. Thanks to such endless efforts, sweet potatoes, although slowly, spread to all parts of Chosun Dynasty, where they became one of local products in Chosun.