Estimated USD 215 million to be unvested in Public-Private Partnership (SPC) projects
The South Korean government is set to fully accelerate the transformation of agriculture into an AI-leading industry by establishing the “National Agricultural AX (AI Transformation) Platform,” which integrates cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics.
At the Meeting of Ministers on Economic Affairs presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yun-cheol, the government discussed the plan to promote this national platform.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) announced that it will enhance agricultural competitiveness through this platform, which combines AI and data-based farming solutions with next-generation smart farm models. The goal is to move beyond the limits of existing hardware-centric smart farming and create an “Intelligent Agricultural Ecosystem” that increases productivity and is easily accessible even to elderly or novice farmers.
Key highlights of the project include:
– Public-Private Partnership (SPC): The project will be driven by a joint SPC. The total project cost is estimated at over KRW 290 billion (approx. USD 215 million), with the government contributing up to KRW 140 billion.
– Private-Led Operation: The government plans to minimize intervention to ensure public interest while allowing the platform to be operated primarily by the private sector to maximize professional expertise.
– Advanced Technology: The platform will build specialized AI models for cultivation and livestock, providing customized services such as early pest diagnosis, growth management, and remote precision control.
– Infrastructure: Construction of high-efficiency, low-cost smart greenhouses and livestock barns capable of intelligent remote control.
MAFRA aims to reduce labor burdens and boost productivity while fostering AI agricultural technology as a new export industry.
The Ministry plans to launch a consortium call and hold business briefings this month, aiming to establish the SPC within the year. To ensure stability, the government will provide administrative support for land acquisition and financial support through policy funds like the National Growth Fund.
“We expect to increase agricultural profitability and reduce labor burdens through innovation in the farming environment,” a MAFRA official stated. “We will secure global competitiveness by pioneering high-value-added markets through our AI agricultural models.”
