Key Takeaways
- Korean experts emphasize the need for agricultural AI specialists to drive innovation in the sector.
- The Digital Agriculture Symposium highlighted advancements in life sciences, including significant Nobel Prize-winning technologies.
- Future agriculture is expected to be shaped by digitalization and AI, creating new opportunities for growth and efficiency.
Highlights from the Digital Agriculture Symposium
On October 10, the Digital Agriculture Symposium took place at the aT Center in Yangjae-dong, Seoul, co-hosted by Maekyung, Nongjinwon, and the Korea Venture Agricultural University. The event drew over 200 participants from diverse fields, including agriculture, ICT, and investment. Notably, Yoon Jong-rok, a visiting professor at KAIST, called for a focus on developing agricultural AI experts to navigate the future of the life sciences within the industry.
Professor Yoon pointed out that Korea should shift its attention to life sciences such as agri-food and biopharmaceuticals as the country progresses beyond its traditional heavy industry roots. He referenced the 2023 and 2024 Nobel Prize winners to highlight innovations in technologies that scrutinize atomic movements, alongside breakthroughs in protein science. Yoon asserted that these advancements indicate an emerging era for life sciences that will influence agriculture and food production.
During the symposium, Min Seung-kyu, a chair professor at Sejong University, emphasized the digital transformation of agriculture as it grapples with a third revolution characterized by rapid global competition. He insisted that Korean agriculture must embrace innovation to become a pioneer rather than remaining stagnant. With rice farming consuming significant resources, Min argued for the development of a sustainable model that benefits agricultural outputs rather than limiting production.
Ahn Ho-geun, director of the Korea Agricultural Technology Promotion Agency, reinforced the importance of integrating technology into agriculture. He described a future where technology and capital will play central roles in production, alongside traditional resources like land and labor. Ahn highlighted initiatives aimed at fostering smart agriculture and promoting the adoption of AI in farming practices, including training programs for young managers in smart farming.
The symposium reiterated the potential and urgent need for bold changes in Korean agriculture through the lens of digital innovation. As new technologies emerge, the speakers agreed that properly harnessing these tools can reshape the agricultural landscape, leading to sustainable growth and enhanced competitiveness on a global scale.
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