The Korean Journal of Crop Science ISSN:0252-9777(Print) 2287-8432(Online) 한국작물학회지

Building self-sustainable rural infrastructure and environment through smart digital agriculture technology innovation is one of the major goals of the Korean agricultural administration as a part of the nation’s 4^th industry revolution. To identify areas for improving and effectively investing in the acceleration of rural development, 207 experts in the areas of crop science and smart digital agriculture technology were interviewed for their opinions and suggestions on 22 questions designed to recognize fundamental agricultural issues to be addressed and solutions to advance technology innovation and rural development. Majority of the participants expected smart digital agriculture technologies to resolve major agricultural issues and help build a better rural environment. To overcome technology gaps and resolve issues more effectively, further investment in training new technology experts and building stronger agricultural technology infrastructure is urgent, and persistent and systematic support from agricultural administration appears to be the key for accelerating the process. While the leading global groups of both public and private sectors have advanced their technologies beyond the field application stage, most of the Korean technologies remain at the early pilot stage. Aging population and lack of labor in rural areas, unknown future climate change, and challenges in sustainable rural development are expected to be resolved by smart digital agriculture technologies. Technological innovations by research institutes should be promptly deployed in the crop production field, and farm training systemically organized by local technology centers can accelerate farming revolution. Standardization of equipment and data systems is another key to the success of digitalization of food crop production and food supply chains nationwide.