Agricultural Technology Commercialization Foundation Accelerates Efforts to Strengthen Seed Industry

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyun-jung] The Korea Seed & Variety Service announced that it is recruiting seed companies, nurseries, agricultural materials, and other seed industry-related companies to participate in the '2021 International Seed Expo.' The expo, held from October 6 to November 2 at the Seed Industry Promotion Center in the Gimje Private Breeding Research Complex, will be conducted as an online virtual expo, the same as last year, due to the spread of COVID-19.

The expo plans to significantly expand seed and seed industry promotional content and provide more attractions by broadcasting various academic events online, including invited lectures, national research and development performance presentations, and introductions to new variety advanced breeding technologies. The goal is to achieve export contracts worth 6 billion KRW and participation from 75 companies. Seed exports through the expo recorded about 5.4 billion KRW last year.

Through an improved virtual expo venue compared to last year, the promotion of varieties and products of seed companies and upstream and downstream seed industry companies will be strengthened. In addition, seed knowledge and information will be provided through related seed organizations so that domestic and international buyers, farmers, and other visitors can enjoy the expo from anywhere.

Furthermore, due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic making it difficult to invite overseas buyers and hold face-to-face export consultations, video export consultations will be strengthened. In cooperation with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), the registration of participating companies' varieties and products on the export support platform buyKOREA will also be expanded. After participating in the online export consultation, logistics costs will be supported for companies sending samples to further expand export support for companies.

Applications for the expo are open until April 17, and in accordance with government guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19, in-person submissions will not be accepted; applications can only be submitted via email.

Meanwhile, the center plans to actively promote job creation related to the seed industry this year through customized human resource development alongside the expo. It will nurture regional talents in agricultural life sciences based on local universities and high schools in Jeollabuk-do, and drive employment in seed companies through practical education and follow-up management. Especially considering COVID-19, a related crisis response operation system will be established, and related quarantine management will be strengthened.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.