Rural Development Administration and Korea Rural Economic Institute Discuss AgTech Industry Activation Measures

The Rural Development Administration (Administrator Kwon Jae-han) and the Korea Rural Economic Institute (President Han Du-bong) jointly held a policy research council on the topic of ‘AgTech and Future Agriculture’ at the conference room of the Korea Rural Economic Institute on November 25.

The two organizations have been holding policy research meetings since 2003, and have been seeking to promote information exchange and understanding in the fields of agricultural science and technology and economics and policy. They have also been continuing their cooperative relationship by discussing roles and cooperation plans between the organizations for national tasks and policy support.

This year’s conference began with opening remarks from the heads of the two organizations, followed by presentations on key topics by Lee Jeong-min, a research fellow at the Korea Rural Economic Institute, and Hong Seok-young, director of the Agricultural Satellite Center at the Rural Development Administration.

Lee Jeong-min, a researcher at the Korea Rural Economic Institute, presented a plan to revitalize AgTech under the theme of “Challenges of New Growth Industries in the Agricultural Sector.” In particular, he emphasized the need to expand the field applicability of AgTech, secure industrial competitiveness, and build a foundation for revitalization.

Hong Seok-young, Director of the Agricultural Satellite Center at the Rural Development Administration, presented on the topic of ‘Current Status and Tasks of Satellite-based Agricultural Observation’, including the principles of utilizing remote sensing technology and the current status of crop estimation for major crops such as rice and vegetables. He also introduced future tasks of agricultural observation using agricultural satellites, such as improving crop classification and growth estimation technology based on satellite images.

The two organizations then discussed in depth ways to cooperate on business issues, including improving the accuracy of planting area and yield forecasts, providing agricultural meteorological data, and forming a consultative body to utilize agricultural and forestry satellite data.

In particular, a consensus was formed by proposing to find collaborative projects between the Korea Rural Economic Institute’s Agricultural Observation Center and the Rural Development Administration’s Agricultural Satellite Center to build initial data for the agricultural and forestry satellite project.

Korea Rural Economic Institute Director Han Du-bong said, “The two organizations have been closely interlocked like cogwheels, holding public discussions (forums), seminars, and advisory meetings and have been cooperating steadily.” He added, “We will continue to strengthen joint research based on new perspectives and ideas to maximize synergy effects.”

“As abnormal weather conditions have become more severe recently, it has become more difficult to accurately predict crop conditions,” said Seo Hyo-won, deputy director of the Rural Development Administration. “We will work with the Korea Rural Economic Institute to establish a precision observation system using agricultural and forestry satellites and actively overcome the abnormal weather crisis.”