AI and Robotics in Agriculture Take Center Stage at Expo

The Rural Development Administration showcased future agricultural technologies combining artificial intelligence (AI) and robot technology.

The expo, themed 'Agriculture Growing Bigger with AI Convergence, Rural Communities Happier Together,' was jointly hosted by Yonhap News and the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (Nonghyup), and demonstrated the transformation of K-agriculture technology across three sectors: 'Field-Oriented,' 'Future Response,' and 'Balanced Growth.'

The 'Field-Oriented' sector featured technologies aimed at solving labor shortages and realizing smart rural communities, including the wearable exoskeleton robot 'X-BLE Shoulder' to improve farmer safety and working conditions, an IoT-based agricultural machinery accident alert system, autonomous tractors, and robots for automatic material transport.

The 'Future Response' sector introduced carbon-neutral agricultural technologies such as 'AI Isak-i,' which provides customized farming information using generative AI, a pest and disease auto-diagnosis app, 'Gamtambyeo,' a variety developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, 'Biochar' for soil carbon sequestration technology, and low-methane feed.

The 'Balanced Growth' sector shared the global expansion achievements of K-agriculture technology, including the 'Smart Young Farmer' support service for young farmers, a success story of 'Jinbuolbyeo' rice cultivation in Mongolia, and the 'Ricepia' project supporting rice seed and cultivation technology in Africa.