Revolutionizing Smart Agriculture: The Need for Comprehensive Education

The recent advancements in agricultural technology have brought about a significant shift in the agricultural paradigm, providing us with a sufficient food supply and eternal prosperity. However, the success of smart agriculture depends on more than just technological development; it requires human resources who can practically apply and utilize it.

According to a 2022 smart farm survey conducted by the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Food and Rural Affairs, many farmers have received smart farm-related education, but there is still a need for retraining, particularly in areas such as aftercare measures for smart farm equipment and management of greenhouse construction materials.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has taken steps to address this issue by promoting the selection of smart agriculture professional training institutions and organizing curriculum for four courses. This includes education on crop understanding, greenhouse construction, and safety management for public officials related to the agricultural industry.

To derive the future sustainability of agriculture, it is necessary to establish a field education ecosystem model centered on practice, closely identifying problems occurring in the field and conducting education that can achieve technical harmony with the field. Comprehensive and effective education that goes beyond simple technology introduction education is essential to enable farmers to skillfully apply the technology they use in the actual field.

Establishing a specialized educational institution that supports education on the structure of smart greenhouses, the features and functions of each equipment, and self-inspection education can help transform the fundamental constitution of smart agriculture and make a new leap forward.

By prioritizing education and training, we can ensure the prosperity of future generations and create a sustainable agricultural industry.

— Lee Myeong-Hoon, Professor of Smart Agriculture, Suncheon National University