The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is focusing on generating tangible results that citizens can feel in their daily lives as it accelerates agricultural and rural innovation in the second half of 2026. The ministry plans to promote agricultural reforms, including the reform of agricultural cooperatives and comprehensive land surveys, while also supporting local-led growth through the expansion of basic income for rural areas and the development of specialized industries.
On July 16, during a work report held at the Blue House, President Lee Jae-myung presided over the meeting where the ministry announced its key plans for the second half of the year. The six major initiatives driving agricultural and rural innovation include stabilizing the supply and demand of agricultural products, promoting artificial intelligence (AI) technology, strengthening national responsibility, boosting K-food exports, expanding renewable energy, and enhancing animal welfare.
First, the ministry will focus on stabilizing the supply and demand of agricultural products. Starting in August, it will implement revised laws on grain and agricultural products to establish a proactive supply management system, utilizing advanced technologies such as agricultural satellites and AI to accurately predict and manage supply conditions.
The ministry will also accelerate the dissemination of AI technology for farmers and rural residents. It aims to increase the area of smart agriculture from the current 20% to 35% by 2030. The number of smart agriculture hubs will grow from 10 to 23, and a new model for accessible smart farms will be developed and tested within the year.
Mitigating management risks for farmers will also be a priority. The ministry plans to expand the number of items eligible for import insurance from 15 to 20 and will develop measures to stabilize prices. Support plans for rising costs of essential agricultural materials will be specified, and assistance for foreign seasonal workers will be expanded.
To achieve its goal of $16 billion in K-food exports, the ministry will concentrate resources on strategic products and markets in the second half of the year. It will foster public-private partnerships for joint market entry by large and small businesses, implement 'buddy marketing' for products like ramen and kimchi, and enhance marketing efforts by supporting activities of K-food ambassadors such as Faker and Edward Lee.
The ministry will also promote renewable energy models utilizing agricultural and rural resources. It plans to establish subordinate regulations for the recently enacted solar energy law for farming and expand leading models through pilot projects in the metropolitan area. The ministry will also broaden the model of solar income villages using reservoirs and preserved farmland.
A comprehensive animal welfare system will be established, covering not only pets but also farm animals, service animals, and laboratory animals. The ministry plans to draft a basic animal welfare law and establish an animal welfare promotion agency by the end of the year, while also promoting the introduction of cooperative animal hospitals and expanding transparency in veterinary fees.
The ministry will expedite reforms in agricultural cooperatives and comprehensive land surveys. The first reform plan for agricultural cooperatives will be swiftly processed through discussions in the National Assembly in the second half of the year, and a follow-up reform plan aimed at revitalizing economic activities and enhancing cooperative competitiveness will also be prepared for legislative action by the end of the year. In-depth land surveys will be conducted concurrently.
Support for local-led growth utilizing rural resources will be strengthened. Basic income will be officially distributed starting next month to seven newly selected regions, including Hwacheon, Boeun, Jinan, Muju, Gurye, Boseong, and Cheongsong. The ministry plans to establish spatial plans for 139 rural cities and counties by the end of the year to promote the specialization of rural spaces.
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung stated, “In the first half of this year, we focused on restructuring agricultural policies to promote national tasks, and in the second half, we will do our utmost to deliver results that the public can feel.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.