5-Year Support of 28.5 Billion KRW for Talent Development in 'Smart Agriculture, Green Bio, and Carbon Neutrality'

Government Supports 4.7 Billion KRW Per Research Team for 'Agricultural Food Science and Technology Convergence Research Personnel Training R&D Project'

The government is set to actively promote the cultivation of talent in new convergent industries such as smart agriculture, green bio, carbon neutrality, and food tech. A total of 28.5 billion KRW will be supported over five years to train 291 related talents.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 8th that it has selected candidates for the "Agricultural and Food Science and Technology Convergent Research Personnel Training R&D Project," which will provide a total of 28.5 billion KRW over five years starting in 2024 to nurture talent in the fields of smart agriculture, green bio, carbon neutrality, and food tech.

This project aims to transform the agricultural industry paradigm through technological innovation by having agricultural colleges serve as lead research institutions, with multidisciplinary participation from other universities to foster convergent research personnel and develop innovative technologies through regional and technological collaboration. Each research team will receive 5.7 billion KRW over five years for curriculum operation and research activities.

Smart Farm (Reference Photo)

In the green bio field, research teams were selected by subdividing into plant, animal, and digital sectors. The plant sector research team, led by Seoul National University, will operate an industry internship program in collaboration with Farm Hannong and Nongwoo Bio. The animal sector, led by Chungbuk National University with Chonnam National University and Gyeongsang National University, plans to cultivate international talent through graduate student exchanges with the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

In the digital sector, Chonnam National University, as the lead research institution, will conduct convergent agricultural technology research with Chungnam National University focused on artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, and intelligent agricultural machinery to optimize agricultural production.

In the carbon neutrality sector, Hankyong National University and Sangji University plan to establish a joint education center in the Seoul metropolitan area to train personnel for carbon neutrality in agriculture and rural areas in the Gyeonggi and Gangwon regions. In the food tech sector, Seoul National University leads a consortium with specialized technology holders including Pohang University of Science and Technology (artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, dining food tech), Kyungpook National University (food smart manufacturing technology), and Chonnam National University (food upcycling) to plan convergent education and core technology development in food tech.

Additionally, to ensure continuous cooperation with policy departments, a consultative body involving ministries, specialized institutions, and policy and technology experts has been formed. Through close project management such as progress checks, system improvements, and academic exchange meetings, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs expects to contribute to the innovative growth of the agri-food industry and the resolution of agricultural policy issues.

Lee Sang-man, Director of Agricultural Food Innovation Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "Through the Agricultural and Food Science and Technology Convergent Research Personnel Training Project, we plan to break down boundaries between universities and disciplines, activate convergent and collaborative research, and support global talent development and enhancement of agricultural industry competitiveness through cooperative research with industries and overseas universities."