MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – Aiming to strengthen agricultural cooperation and promote sustainable smart farming practices, representatives from the Republic of Korea visited the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (DA–NMACLRC) to inspect the smart greenhouse facility established through a Korea-funded project

Held on November 7, the visit was led by officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and the Korea Agency of Education, Promotion and Information Service in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (EPIS), in relation to the project, “Internship Program on Smart Agriculture for Young Filipinos,” implemented in partnership with the DA–Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).

The Korean representatives underscored the internship program will pave way for the utilization of the NMACLRC smart greenhouse as a training facility. The initiative seeks to enhance technical competencies in smart farming, foster innovation in agricultural production, and sustain collaboration between the DA and its Korean counterparts.

During the site inspection and discussions with officials from DA – Regional Field Office 10 (DA–RFO 10) and NMACLRC, the delegation tackled measures for sustainable greenhouse operations, possible renovation and maintenance needs, and strategies for expanding smart agriculture technologies to local farmers.

DA–10 Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan expressed his support for the forthcoming project, recognizing its role in strengthening research-based agricultural training and promoting technology-driven practices among young Filipino farmers.

The initiative underscores the continuing cooperation between the Philippine’s Agriculture Department and the Government of Korea in advancing agricultural modernization and strengthening capacity-building initiatives toward sustainable and technology-driven food production systems. (EJLG)