South Korea and Singapore are strengthening their collaboration on smart farm technology, policy exchange, and corporate partnerships. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a joint committee and promote cooperation among related companies. Discussions were also held on expanding smart farm initiatives and K-food exports to local businesses and distributors in Singapore.
Deputy Minister Kim Jong-gu revealed on November 2 that he attended the 26th ASEAN+3 Agriculture Ministers' Meeting in Singapore on October 30, where he signed the MOU with Grace Fu, Singapore's Minister for Sustainability and the Environment.
The MOU includes the establishment of a joint committee for smart farming, the exchange of technology, policies, and information, and the promotion of cooperation among relevant companies and institutions. The Ministry plans to use this agreement to enhance exchanges in the agricultural sector between the two countries and to broaden the foundation for South Korean smart farm companies to enter the Singaporean market.
In his keynote speech at the ASEAN+3 Agriculture Ministers' Meeting, Deputy Minister Kim emphasized the importance of strengthening regional food security networks, responding to climate change, and promoting cooperation in digital and innovative agricultural technologies. He noted that South Korea has contributed 72% of the total 780,000 tons of rice stockpiled since the establishment of the ASEAN+3 Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) in 2013, and that it will provide an additional 5,900 tons of rice this year.
He also introduced South Korea's smart agriculture policies and technologies, sharing plans for data-driven growth control, AI pest detection, and drone application technologies, as well as the launch of agriculture-specific satellites to enhance precision farming policies. He stated that cooperation will continue with ASEAN member countries to modernize agricultural production systems and strengthen digital capabilities.
Deputy Minister Kim explored potential collaborations with local agricultural companies in Singapore. He visited GreenPhytos, which operates the world's tallest indoor vertical farm, to observe automated and AI-based precision agriculture technologies and the current status of eco-friendly leafy vegetable production, discussing ways to facilitate technology exchanges with domestic smart farm companies.
He also gathered feedback on expanding K-food exports by meeting with local Korean restaurants, agricultural importers, distributors, and representatives from Korean companies operating in Singapore. He visited Curly, a premium ingredient distribution store, to assess the local distribution market situation.
Deputy Minister Kim stated, "In the face of frequent natural disasters due to climate change and global supply chain crises, it is significant that member countries have strengthened solidarity and cooperation for regional food security. We will support the expansion of our agricultural sector and K-food exports to the premium market in Singapore through information exchange, technology collaboration, research cooperation, and marketing efforts."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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