The move is part of a sweeping effort to address the dual challenges of climate change and a shrinking rural workforce.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Tuesday, under the five-year plan, the government will upgrade 35 percent of South Korea’s 55,000 hectares of greenhouses, a significant increase from the current 16 percent.
“This initiative is designed to fortify our agricultural sector against mounting challenges and establish the country as a global leader in smart agriculture,” said Kim Jeong-wook, the ministry’s director general of agricultural innovation policy.
Key aspects of the plan include fostering 120 pioneering smart agriculture companies and nearly quadrupling smart farm exports to $900 million by 2029, up from $240 million last year.
The government will also designate “smart agriculture promotion districts” to integrate specialized clusters with long-term rental smart farms for young farmers.
To support the sector's growth, the number of training institutions for smart farm operators will double to four, and a new certification system for smart agriculture managers will be introduced.
The ministry said overseas orders for South Korean smart farm construction surged 60 percent in 2024, driven largely by demand from Middle Eastern nations seeking advanced agricultural solutions.
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