Jeonnam Agricultural Cooperative Expands Low-Cost Smart Farms to 100 New Farms

The Jeonnam Agricultural Cooperative is accelerating the large-scale expansion of low-cost smart farms, with plans to extend the program to 100 additional farms within this year. The initiative aims to increase agricultural productivity despite climate change and labor shortages.

The smart farm model significantly reduces initial investment costs and enables farmers to manage their operations more efficiently through remote monitoring, environmental control, and data-driven crop management. Particular emphasis is placed on its user-friendly system, which allows even elderly farmers to adopt digital farming technologies with ease.

The smart farm installed in Gokseong has been operating successfully since last year and is regarded as a best-practice model. With subsidies of up to 60% and additional support from local governments, farmers are required to cover only 10% of the total costs.

Through close cooperation with local governments and partner institutions, the Jeonnam Agricultural Cooperative aims to accelerate the spread of smart agriculture and strengthen the competitiveness of rural communities.

Jeollanam-do Declares 2026 the “First Year of Scientific and Technological Advancement”– Province Announces Major Leap Toward a Global Innovation City Driven by AI, Energy, and Advanced Industries

Jeollanam-do has officially designated 2026 as the “First Year of Scientific and Technological Advancement,” signaling a bold transformation toward becoming a global innovation hub based on artificial intelligence, clean energy, and cutting-edge technologies. The announcement was made during the provincial New Year Kickoff Ceremony held on January 5.

Governor Kim Young-rok emphasized that Jeonnam has strengthened its national position by securing 10 trillion KRW in national funding for the first time, overcoming last year’s political challenges, and emerging as Korea’s center for AI and energy, attracting world-class companies. Building on these achievements, he declared a “Golden Grand Leap” that will reshape the province’s future industrial landscape.

Key priorities outlined in the address include:

  • Expanding renewable energy such as solar, wind, and agrivoltaics to significantly raise farm income and establish an inclusive model of energy-based basic income.
  • Advancing future technologies—fusion energy, artificial intelligence, aerospace, advanced materials—through close collaboration with major universities, while establishing regional AI data center clusters and a southern semiconductor innovation belt.
  • Promoting AI-based transformation across traditional core industries such as petrochemicals, steel, and shipbuilding, as well as in agriculture, fisheries, and livestock through the “Jeonnam-model AX.”
  • Strengthening global presence by ensuring the success of the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo and pursuing the 2028 G20 Summit and COP33, while building a Southern Coast tourism belt leveraging nature, culture, and improved nationwide transport links.

Governor Kim concluded by reaffirming the province’s vision of becoming the AI and energy capital of Korea, advancing administrative cooperation with Gwangju, and positioning Jeonnam at the heart of the southern semiconductor belt.

Jeollanam-do Declares 2026 the “First Year of the Eastern Region’s 100-Year Grand Leap”– Major Industrial, Energy, and Tourism Transformation Announced

Jeollanam-do has officially designated 2026 as the “First Year of the 100-Year Grand Leap of the Eastern Region,” unveiling a comprehensive development strategy aimed at transforming the eastern part of the province into a core hub for future industries. The announcement was made during the year-end press briefing held at the Eastern Regional Headquarters.

Governor Kim Young-rok emphasized that although the petrochemical and steel industries are undergoing a period of crisis, this moment presents a significant opportunity. He stressed the need to fundamentally upgrade industrial structures, secure future competitiveness, and deliver visible, meaningful changes for residents.

Key Strategic Initiatives:

  • Industrial Transformation:
    Modernization of the petrochemical and steel industries through AI, decarbonization, and high-value technologies.
    Establishment of a battery and semiconductor cluster in the Gwangyang Bay area, including a National Advanced Battery Strategic Industry Complex (12.6 trillion KRW) and an RE100 Future Industrial Complex (12 trillion KRW).
  • Hydrogen & Future Energy Development:
    Creation of an integrated hydrogen platform based on LNG terminals, hydrogen pipelines, and a hydrogen port (5.03 trillion KRW).
    Promotion of the South Coast Hydrogen Industrial Belt and the transition of Gwangyang Steelworks to hydrogen-based steelmaking.
  • Clean Energy & Space Industry Cluster:
    Development of a “Clean Energy Hub” using the province-wide designation as a Distributed Energy Special Zone, including offshore wind projects in Yeosu and Goheung (13 GW) and pumped-storage hydropower plants in Gokseong and Gurye.
    Establishment of a K-Space & Defense Innovation Belt in Goheung, featuring a Space-Defense Innovation Cluster, a second national space center, and private launch vehicle testing facilities.
  • Agriculture & Fisheries Innovation:
    Introduction of AI-driven models for agriculture and fisheries across Suncheon, Gokseong, and Goheung, focusing on smart farms, blue food, and green bio industries.
  • Tourism, Global Events & Infrastructure:
    Development of an interconnected mega-regional SOC system to link industry, tourism, and logistics.
    Major projects include the completion of the Jeolla and Gyeongjeon high-speed railways, upgrades to the Namhae Expressway, and construction of the Yeosu–Namhae undersea tunnel.
    The province will also pursue large-scale international events such as the 2026 Yeosu World Island Exhibition, the 2028 G20 Summit, and COP33.
    Additionally, a wellness and marine tourism belt connecting Jirisan, Seomjingang, and the Dadohae archipelago will be created.

Governor Kim highlighted the historical strength of the region’s land, sea, and industrial sites—foundations that powered Korea’s economic rise. He affirmed the province’s commitment to leveraging this strength to build the next 100 years of prosperity and focusing all resources on delivering tangible improvements that residents can feel.

South Jeolla Province Opens Permanent Agricultural, Marine, and Food Sales Center in Berlin, Germany

South Jeolla Province has strengthened its foothold in the European market by opening a permanent sales center for agricultural and marine products inside Momogoo Mart in Berlin. The store, which opened on the 13th of November, marks the first offline retail location of Momogo – a fast-growing food-tech startup known for operating one of Germany’s leading online platforms for Asian food products.

The dedicated sales space features more than 100 premium items from over 40 Jeonnam companies, including Wando seaweed, Boseong green tea, Goheung citron tea, Naju pear beverages, and Gurye wild vegetables. It also offers trendy products such as pouch drinks and konjac jelly, which are gaining popularity among younger German consumers.

Momogo’s CEO highlighted the growing influence of younger demographics in shaping food trends, stating, “With consumers in their 20s and 30s driving K-food demand, the next five to ten years will be a peak growth period.” He emphasized the company’s commitment to expanding the presence of Jeollanam-do’s high-quality agricultural and marine products across Europe through combined online and offline strategies.

Goheung County is exploring the German market for local agricultural and marine products

Goheung County announced on the 12th of November that it has signed a $5 million export agreement with Momogo, an Asian food ingredient distribution company based in Berlin, marking a major step in expanding overseas markets for its premium agricultural and marine products.

The partnership signals the start of full-scale market development in Germany, where Goheung aims to introduce regional specialties to a broader European audience.

Momogo, known for distributing Asian food ingredients and meal kits through multiple consumer-friendly brands, will gradually bring Goheung’s high-quality products- such as yuzu, seasoned laver, dried vegetables, and rice – to German consumers.

Under the agreement, Goheung County will support the establishment of a stable supply system, while the Eden Food Agricultural Cooperative will manage quality control and shipments, including key products like yuzu beverages.

Momogo will handle distribution and promotional activities in Germany, working to strengthen awareness and expand sales of Goheung’s signature goods.

Jeonnam International Agricultural Expo Hosts On-site Promotions at Yeongnam-Honam Exchange Center

The Jeollanam-do International Agricultural Expo boosted anticipation for its upcoming October event by participating in the East-West Harmony Yeongnam-Honam Culture, Arts, and Tourism Expo in Damyang.

The three-day expo, which concluded on the 21st, highlighted cultural, artistic, and tourism exchanges between the Yeongnam and Honam regions. Visitors enjoyed local specialty exhibitions, cultural performances, and interactive activities such as traditional Korean games and social media-linked events.

Park Gwan-soo, Director of the Agricultural Expo, emphasized the importance of engaging directly with local communities to raise awareness and interest.

The 2025 International Agricultural Expo, themed “Agriculture Changes the World – Agricultural Innovation with AI, K-Agriculture that Cultivates Life,” will take place from October 23 to 29 at the Jeonnam Agricultural Research and Extension Services in Naju-si, Jeollanam-do.

South Jeolla Promotes 2025 International Agricultural Expo at Korea’s Largest Agri-Machinery Fair

The South Jeolla International Agricultural Expo Foundation is promoting the 2025 International Agricultural Expo at Korea’s largest agri-machinery fair, the “Korea International Agri-Machinery Expo,” held in Daegu from October 30 to November 2. This large-scale event brings together the latest agricultural machinery and technology from 25 countries, with 429 companies exhibiting in 11 pavilions.

At the expo, South Jeolla’s representatives will conduct targeted marketing, engaging directly with companies and institutions to encourage participation in the 2025 event. They will also gather valuable feedback through interactive surveys with agricultural experts and industry professionals, which will inform the planning and execution of the 2025 Expo.

Kim Haeng-ran, CEO of the International Agricultural Expo Foundation, emphasized that the feedback collected will contribute significantly to the success of the 2025 Expo, scheduled to be held in October 2025 under the theme “Agricultural Innovation with AI: Nurturing Life with K-Agriculture” at the South Jeolla Agricultural Research Institute.

Quelle: https://www.jldnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=186918

Jeonnam Food Export Association takes the lead in exporting local agricultural and marine products

The Jeonnam Food Export Association promotes the competitiveness of regional agricultural and fishery products in the global market. An event sponsored by Jeollanam-do Province was held in Naju on July 12, with over 80 participants, including local officials and export companies, in attendance.

The programs included:

• Analysis of sales trends and successful products in the U.S.,

• Training on export customs procedures,

• Introduction to a food fair in China,

• Information on launching in the U.S. online market.

Trends in convenience and health, as well as success stories such as frozen kimbap, attracted particular interest.

Special consultations for export companies were also offered. Chairman Han Mun-chul stressed the need for successful export activities despite economic challenges. The province actively supports the development of export companies in the agricultural and fishery sectors.

Jeonnam Province Announces a “Low-Carbon, Regenerative Organic” Vision for the Future of Agriculture

Jeollanam-do Province has announced a new vision for the future of eco-friendly agriculture, focusing on “low-carbon and regenerative organic farming.” This vision was presented on July 5 during an event at the Kim Dae-jung Auditorium, attended by approximately 900 eco-friendly farmers.

The new vision includes three main strategies:

1. Regenerative Organic Farming: This strategy goes beyond merely obtaining organic certifications. It aims to protect the soil and animals and improve the lives of farmers and all living beings. The goal is to revitalize the soil through increased organic matter, which helps sequester carbon, ultimately contributing to climate change mitigation.

2. Eco-Friendly Agriculture of the Future: This strategy involves diversifying the production of eco-friendly agricultural products and developing high-value organic foods using advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), agritech, and smart farming. This approach aims to create an attractive environment for young future farmers.

3. Low-Carbon Agricultural Technologies: This involves reducing the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and energy throughout the entire production process to lower greenhouse gas emissions. This strategy aims to reduce production costs and increase the competitiveness of Jeollanam-do’s agriculture in national and international markets.

The vision will be detailed in the “5th Six-Year Plan for the Promotion of Eco-Friendly Agriculture (2025-2030),” which is currently being developed. Governor Kim Young-rok emphasized that Jeollanam-do will continue to be promoted as a leading area in organic farming, extending its reach from Korea to the world.

The Kitchen of Korea gaining popularity in the US online-market

Jeollanamdo’s Amazon Brand Store The Kitchen of Korea has established itself as a popular online store in the US online market. On April 19 the local government announced during an export ceremony that it has already sent its 10th container within 9 month, marking another mile stone since the opening of the specialty brand store The Kitchen of Korea on Amazon US.

The latest container contains 29 agricultural and fishery products from 14 companies from all over Jeollanamdo. In the Jeollanamdo Brand Store red pepper paste, organic shiitake, plum, pear, and citron juice, along with seaweed, abalone and seafood snacks are gaining huge popularity. 

Along with those popular products five new products are shipped for the first time to be newly introduced to the U.S. market, after reviewing the marketability and competitiveness of the products.

As popularity of the brand store The Kitchen of Korea is continuously rising in the US, Jeollanamdo is also focusing on other regions to open similar brand stores, firstly in the European Union.

The Kitchen of Korea

Jeollanamdo is also planing to open Amazon brand stores in the EU by mid 2021. A list of available products and further information on The Kitchen of Korea can be found here.

Moreover, the provincial government is eager to expand its product range in the online market, to establish The Kitchen of Korea further as a distinguished K-FOOD market with high quality organic products. The government keeps looking for more local companies that are willing to export their products to make a wide range of Jeollanamdo’s products available throughout the world.

“If local companies meet Amazon’s food export and sales standards, there will be more opportunities to export them to the U.S. as well as other countries,” said Lee Sang-jin, international cooperation official of Jeollanamdo Provincial Government. “We plan to continue to find small, competitive agricultural and fishery companies and expand their presence on Amazon.”

Jeollanamdo sends first container of products to sell on Amazon Europe

On February 26, 2021 officials of Jeollanamdo held a shipping ceremony for the first ever container of food products to be send off to Europe to be sold on Amazon Europe. This first shipment contains over 15 different products, such as seaweed, dried fish snacks and different kinds of tea and juice. The products will be sold exclusively under the brand Jeollanamdo The Kitchen of Korea.

As the Jeollanamdo brand The Kitchen of Korea is already entering its second year in the US market after a successful first year, Jeollanamdo is now keen to repeat this success in Europe.

The container is expected to arrive in Hamburg, Germany in late March and the products will first be sold throughout the whole European Union, using the Amazon online stores of four European countries: Germany, France, Italy and Spain.

Jeollanamdo The Kitchen of Korea is a registered trademark by Jeollanamdo. The goal of the brand is to enable easy and direct access to food products from Jeollanamdo. Read more.

By directly promoting food products from the region, Jeollanamdo aims to offer agricultural and marine products at reasonable prices. In order to do this, Jeollanamdo and nine export companies have registered the Exporter Certificate of Origin. This certificate allows exporters from Jeollanamdo to prove their country of origin so that they can benefit from the free trade agreement between the Republic of Korea and the European Union.

The European Union has the second highest growth rates in the online food market and thanks to the growing awareness and interest in Korean culture and products, Jeollanamdo is aiming to establish its own products in Europe.

Jeollanamdo Strawberries from Damyang secured variety protection right in EU until 2040

Damyang is a county in northern Jeollanamdo and it is famous for its sweet strawberries. Now, their strawberry breeds “jukhyang” and “damhyang” have secured variety protection right in the EU for the next 20 years until 2040. By this, jukhyang and damhyang become the first Korean strawberries to have received variety protection rights by the European Community Plant Variety Office. This decision will lay the ground for further entry of Jeollanamdo’s strawberries on the European market.

The term ‘Variety protection’ means the rights to multiply, produce, export or import seeds of a protected variety for commercial use in the world market, or to make an offer for transfer and rental belong solely to the breeder. Therefore securing the breeder a monopoly position to manage and control the distribution of their product.

Strawberries from Jeollanamdo are widely popular because of their sweet taste and low costs. So far Korean strawberries are being exported to over 20 countries all around the world. Among the biggest importers are Hong Kong and Singapore. Now, as the strawberries breeds damhyang and jukhyang are protected in Europe, the exports and sells of strawberries from Jeollanamdo are expected to grow further.