Guest article: What’s driving green biology innovation in South Korean agriculture

South Korea-based Sopoong Ventures invests in early-stage local weather tech startups targeted on vitality, agriculture, meals and the round financial system.

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South Korea is present process vital coverage shifts to drive agricultural innovation, notably round inexperienced biology and good farming.

The South Korean authorities’s bioeconomy plan for 2030 is central to those modifications, selling biotechnology integration into agriculture to reinforce sustainability and effectivity. Key initiatives embrace substantial investments in microbiome expertise to develop eco-friendly fertilizers and pest management options. Moreover, the federal government helps good farming applied sciences like IoT, AI, and massive knowledge analytics, exemplified by the Smart Farm Innovation Valley venture.

These coverage shifts are deeply rooted in South Korea’s historic challenges and geographical constraints. Because of the mountainous terrain, solely 22% of South Korea’s land is appropriate for farming, a limitation that has pushed revolutionary agricultural practices to maximise productiveness on restricted arable land. Traditionally, the nation has relied closely on fertilizers to reinforce soil productiveness and has a wealthy custom of fermentation, which has laid the groundwork for contemporary microbiome applied sciences.

Improvements in microbiome

Microbiome-related merchandise and fermentation applied sciences are enhancing crop well being and productiveness in environmentally sustainable methods. Examples embrace seed coatings that shield crops from ailments and pests, and eco-friendly fertilizers that improve soil fertility with out harming the surroundings. These applied sciences handle soil air pollution and improve crop yields, making agriculture extra environment friendly and resilient.

South Korea’s experience in fermentation, rooted in conventional meals tech, has transitioned into trendy agricultural functions. Fermented meals reminiscent of Kimchi and Doenjang are staples in Korean delicacies, and historic information of those and different objects has facilitated developments in microbiome expertise.

Startups have performed an important position in driving innovation within the microbiome utility and utilization market, notably in agriculture. As an example, firms like CJ CheilJedang have utilized microbiome fermentation for agricultural merchandise, together with fertilizers and animal feed. CJ CheilJedang’s acquisition of ChunLab (now CJ BioScience) signifies a strategic transfer to bolster their microbiome capabilities, aiming to combine these applied sciences throughout 100,000 hectares of farmland by 2025. One other startup, Microbalance, can be on the forefront of this business, using microbiome expertise in numerous agricultural functions.

Microbiome expertise in agriculture, also called inexperienced bio, has immense potential, with promising enlargement into industrial (white bio) and medical (pink bio) biotechnology. The worldwide microbiome therapeutics market is quickly rising and is projected to reach $9.3 billion by 2028. Total, the microbiome’s potential spans agriculture, business, and drugs, making it a key space for progress and innovation globally.

Improvements in pure merchandise

Pure merchandise play an important position in inexperienced bio, driving developments in sustainable agriculture and well being. Latest developments present a rising choice for well being dietary supplements and alternative materials derived from pure sources, favored for his or her environmental advantages and security. The worldwide marketplace for pure well being merchandise grew by 12% in 2023, reflecting elevated shopper demand for eco-friendly and health-conscious choices particularly after Covid-19.

South Korea’s agricultural sector advantages from the nation’s historic experience in pure merchandise. Conventional Korean drugs (Hanbang) has lengthy utilized pure substances, and trendy agriculture is now integrating these practices to fulfill up to date wants.

In the meantime, the getting old inhabitants in South Korea has considerably pushed the demand for nature-originated medicines and well being merchandise.

Given the nation’s geographical and agricultural constraints, regional cooperation is important to maximise using pure sources and foster innovation within the agricultural sector. The Gangwon-do and Jeollabuk-do provinces are enhancing agricultural and biotechnological developments by leveraging their wealthy pure sources.

Gangwon-do focuses on creating infrastructure for cultivating and processing medicinal herbs and plant-based well being dietary supplements, benefiting from its clear air and soil high quality. Jeollabuk-do, with its fertile plains and agricultural heritage, is investing in infrastructure for sustainable farming and plant-based biotechnology. Each areas are establishing innovation facilities and analysis hubs to foster collaboration between native farmers, researchers, and biotech firms, selling high-quality, sustainable pure merchandise.

Startups’ agility and skill to quickly adapt to market calls for give them a major benefit within the pure merchandise sector. These on this house profit from authorities help, together with funding, analysis services, and market entry packages. As an example, Dr. Oregonin, a startup in Gangwon-do, makes use of native tree and herb extracts to create revolutionary well being dietary supplements and superior medicines, notably for treating sarcopenia. Such collaborations between startups and regional sources are essential for exploring and creating cutting-edge applied sciences that leverage pure sources.

The way forward for Korean inexperienced bio seems to be promising, with continued innovation and enlargement anticipated in each conventional and rising sectors. The synergy between startups and established firms will drive technological improvements, creating a sturdy ecosystem that helps sustainable and environment friendly farming practices. This evolution will seemingly place South Korea as a worldwide hub for agricultural biotechnology, setting new requirements for the business worldwide.

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