Smart Farm Innovation Valley in Koheung and Miryang, South Korea
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of Republic of Korea(MAFRA) announced second Smart Farm Innovation Valley plan which includes Koheung in South Jeolla and Miryang in South Gyeongsang province as of March 28, 2019.
Koheung and Miryang in South Korea will be developed as base centers for business incubation for young farmers and technology innovation by 2022. In April 2018 two other regions, Sangju in North Gyeongsang and Gimje in North Jeolla province were also selected for the first round development plan for Smart Farm Innovation Valley.
This innovation valley will be developed as agricultural industry cluster based on ICT to enable growth in both agriculture and related industry by integrating functions of young labors and technology innovation. Business incubating center, smart farm lease and test complex will be established as a key facility by 2021. As budget 21billion won (approx. 16.5million euro) for foundation construction work, 12.2billion won for business incubating center, 16.4billion won for smart farm lease and 19.2billion won for test complex are compiled in 2019. Korean Ministry will finalize the master plan by this year August and aim to break ground in early next year.
Since the project is to be carried out directly by local government, each region would develop in their own direction with different circumstances and focuses. So it’s necessary for Dutch companies interested in this business to keep eyes on its development progress and to find any cooperation opportunities in there.