Jeonnam National University Fruit Tree Digital Agriculture Research Institute Selected for Two Core AI-Based Projects by Rural Development Administration

Securing KRW 7 Billion in Project Funding
Advancing Digital Management of Fruit Crops

Jeonnam National University Fruit Tree Digital Agriculture Research Institute announced on May 11 that it has been selected for two core projects under the "AI-Based Crop Monitoring and Diagnosis Platform Development" program, led by the Rural Development Administration. Over the next five years, Jeonnam National University will take the lead in developing advanced technologies to manage the entire growth cycles of apples and pears—two of Korea’s major fruit crops—using AI-based systems.

The selected projects are: ▲ Development of an intelligent open-field fruit crop work decision support system (KRW 2.85 billion) and ▲ Development of a real-time fruit quality diagnosis and prediction AI model for open-field fruit crops (KRW 4.18 billion).

The core of this research is the "Multimodal AI" technology, which integrates and analyzes image data, weather data, and actual growth information. The research team plans to develop a system in which AI, by comprehensively analyzing diverse data, can diagnose the growth status of orchards in real time—just as skilled farmers would—and recommend optimal times for agricultural work. In addition, they aim to develop an integrated management solution that can predict fruit quality before harvest.

With fruit farmers increasingly suffering damages from climate change, such as abnormal high temperatures and cold snaps, this research is expected to provide practical solutions for improving productivity and creating stable cultivation environments. Jeonnam National University plans to form a consortium with provincial agricultural technology institutes and industry partners, focusing on developing practical technologies that can be immediately applied in the field.

Professor Lee Sanghyun, Director of the Fruit Tree Digital Agriculture Research Institute (Department of Horticultural Life Science), stated, "Being selected for these projects is national recognition of Jeonnam National University’s expertise in precision agriculture technology for fruit crops," adding, "We will establish stable production systems for national strategic crops such as apples and pears, creating an environment in which farmers can continue to focus on agriculture even in the face of climate crises."