Yoon Administration's 'Smart Agriculture Promotion' First Legislative Bill Sent to National Assembly... Basic Plan to Be Established Every 5 Years

The Bill on the Promotion and Support of Smart Agriculture Passes Cabinet Meeting

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Kim Hyewon] The legal and institutional foundation to support 'industrialization of future growth in agriculture,' one of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's national tasks, has been established for the first time.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced that the bill for the "Act on the Promotion and Support of Smart Agriculture" passed the Cabinet meeting on the 8th.

The bill, consisting of a total of 5 chapters and 25 articles, includes provisions to establish a basic plan every five years and an annual implementation plan to carry out policy tasks for the spread and development of smart agriculture. Governors of metropolitan and special cities and provinces will establish city and provincial plans tailored to the conditions of local governments.

The government decided to designate base complexes supporting education, training, and startups in smart agriculture, which is in its early introduction stage, and promotion zones to expand related industries at the regional level. Farmers or companies residing in the base complexes and promotion zones will be provided with special exceptions under the "Shared Property Act," such as negotiated contracts, long-term leases, and reduced usage fees.

According to the mid- to long-term plan, major policy projects will be comprehensively managed and executed by the "Smart Agriculture Support Center," which possesses expertise. Additionally, an annual survey will be conducted to grasp and analyze trends in smart agriculture sites and related industries.

A system will also be newly established to designate smart agriculture professional training institutions and grant the qualification of "Smart Agriculture Manager" to experts in smart agriculture education and guidance.

The bill lays the groundwork for supporting technology development and standardization related to smart agriculture, including artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, and includes regulations to support technology demonstration, equipment inspection, and post-management so that farmers can utilize equipment and services.

A "Smart Agriculture Data Platform" will also be established to enable farmers and companies to efficiently and safely utilize and trade data collected through Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

The government plans to submit the bill to the National Assembly. Chung Hwang-geun, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "The bill contains the government's will to achieve agricultural innovation through the development of smart agriculture and the hopes of farmers and industry stakeholders," adding, "We will make multifaceted efforts to ensure that the Act on the Promotion and Support of Smart Agriculture passes the National Assembly."