Yoon: "Agriculture Must Be Transformed into a High-Income Industry Based on IT and AI" (Comprehensive)

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 10th, "Agriculture must now transition into a high-income industry based on IT, AI (artificial intelligence), digital technology, and advanced mechanical engineering." He emphasized the need to enhance both the efficiency and productivity of agriculture, and also promised to increase agricultural direct payments to 5 trillion won during his term to stabilize farmers' incomes.

President Yoon made these remarks while attending the '28th Farmers' Day Commemoration Ceremony' held at Seohu Lawn Square in Suwon in the afternoon, highlighting the future industrialization of agriculture through advanced technology.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is performing an uppercut ceremony at the 28th Farmers' Day commemorative event held on the afternoon of the 10th at Seohu Lawn Square in Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

This event was organized to inform the entire nation that agriculture is the foundation of the national economy and to encourage the hard work of 2.2 million farmers who are responsible for the nation's dining tables. In his congratulatory speech, President Yoon evaluated that the government has done its best to stabilize farmers' incomes by fulfilling its promise to restore rice prices to around 200,000 won per 80kg and by expanding disaster recovery funds for the recent heavy rain damage to three times the previous amount.

He also explained, "For the future of agriculture, next year's budget for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will be expanded to 18.3 trillion won, a 5.6% increase from this year, enabling more than 500 billion won additional support compared to this year for fostering young farmers, export support, and smart agriculture."

He shared recent achievements from his overseas visits as well. President Yoon said, "Last month, I attended the International Horticultural Expo in Qatar, where Emir Tamim strongly requested agricultural technology cooperation with us," and emphasized, "The exports of smart farm companies that accompanied me on visits to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar have more than tripled this year." He added, "Going forward, I will continue to promote our agricultural products and technologies abroad during overseas trips and actively pioneer new markets."

Referring to smart farms and vertical farming in the Middle East, he encouraged new attempts. President Yoon stated, "Despite unfavorable weather conditions, they were attempting stable agricultural production through advanced technology," and added, "I hope our farmers will also take great interest in smart farms and vertical farming." He particularly said, "Now agriculture must transition into a high-income industry based on IT, AI, digital technology, and advanced mechanical engineering."

To stabilize farmers' incomes, he pledged to expand agricultural direct payments to 5 trillion won during his term. This is a subsidy system provided by the government to farmers who meet certain conditions and was a key agricultural policy pledge by President Yoon during his presidential campaign.

At the subsequent government awards ceremony, President Yoon presented awards including the Gold Tower Industrial Medal to eight individuals, including Jeon Dae-gyeong, CEO of Midu Young Agricultural Cooperative Corporation (52 years old, Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi), for their contributions to Korea's food security. During the event, farmers proposed to President Yoon that they become the 'No. 1 Supporters of Agriculture and Rural Communities Together.' President Yoon accepted this and promised to be a strong supporter.

Meanwhile, the ceremony was attended by farmers on site, presidents of about ten farmers' organizations, young and female farmers, local agricultural cooperatives, agricultural students, and representatives of companies and consumers. From the government, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Jeong Hwang-geun and Chairman of the Local Era Committee Woo Dong-gi attended; from local governments, Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon was present; and from the National Assembly, People Power Party members Lee Dal-gon, Park Deok-heum, Song Seok-jun, and Democratic Party member So Byung-hoon were in attendance.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a congratulatory speech at the 28th Farmers' Day ceremony held on the afternoon of the 10th at Seohu Lawn Square in Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

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