[New Year's Address] Kim Hyun-soo, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, "Agriculture Transforms into a Data-Driven Advanced Industry"

"'Collecting Growth-Related Data to Solve On-Site Issues at the 'Smart Farm Innovation Valley''"

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Kim Hyun-soo, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, announced in his New Year's address on the 30th that he will transform agriculture into a data-driven high-tech industry and nurture young talent. He emphasized, "The Smart Farm Innovation Valley is not just a simple civil engineering project."

Minister Kim explained, "(The Smart Farm Innovation Valley) is a symbol of the agricultural revolution that will transform agriculture, which relied on labor and experience, into a high-tech industry based on technology and data," adding, "If the smart farm data accumulated at the big data centers of each innovation valley is opened to the private sector, artificial intelligence (AI) can analyze problems in the agricultural field and suggest alternatives through deep learning."

He also said, "Agricultural product distribution must become smart as well," and introduced, "Next year, we plan to increase the items and volume of agricultural products traded online wholesale and create an online trading platform involving farms, end consumers, and food material companies."

He added, "Through this, it is expected that agricultural and livestock product transaction information will be accumulated and disclosed in real time, building distribution big data."

Minister Kim also presented the goal of nurturing young farmers at the Smart Farm Innovation Valley.

He said, "At the four innovation valleys nationwide, they will learn the most advanced technology in smart agriculture," and "The day when these trained farmers become the main players in Korean agriculture is not far off."

Minister Kim mentioned plans to expand the production and consumption base of wheat, soybeans, and other crops to strengthen food security. He declared, "To respond to food crises that may occur in the short term, we will increase the stockpiles of major domestic grains such as rice, wheat, and soybeans. We will also diversify import sources of essential raw materials such as fertilizers."

Furthermore, he announced that a 'Detailed Carbon Neutrality Implementation Plan' will be prepared in the first half of next year to reduce carbon emissions generated during the growth process of crops and livestock. Minister Kim said, "Since agriculture is the industry most directly affected by climate change, we must take action for change now," adding, "We will consider various support measures, such as helping farmers trade carbon emission rights or linking them with the public payment system."

Along with this, he referred to the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, stating, "Public officials in agriculture, food, and rural affairs, including myself, will become 'accelerators' to help agriculture pioneer a new future during this 'great transformation period.'"

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