A joint workshop with Asian Development Bank (ADB) and MAFRA sponsored by Seoul National University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences was held at Seoul National University from November 27, 2019 to November 28, 2019. Last May, AfDB, FAO, ADB, and Korean MAFRA planned to invest in a program aimed at educating and fostering new agropreneurs in developing countries. In particular, ADB noted that Korea has experienced concomitant agricultural growth through the development of agricultural science and technology and the spread of leadership and dissemination systems and stated that they expect Seoul National University to play a key role as the center of the Global High-tech Agricultural Network (GHAN). The workshop was held as an extension of the meetings to exchange opinions and to refine business under the theme of Agricultural Value Chain and GHAN.

 In addition to MAFRA and ADB, members of various related organizations such as the Philippine and Dutch embassy, ​​WB, WFP, AfDB, and FAO attended the conference to have in-depth discussions on the Agricultural Value Chain and GHAN’s concept, future plan, and governance framework. In particular, Chang-Gil Kim, the Invited Professor of CALS, was responsible for the wrap-up presentation for GHAN, who cited that agriculture comprises 95% high technology and 5% hard work and emphasized the importance of GHAN and hoped for much cooperation.




Fig 1. Commemorative photo of the workshop


Fig 2. Professor Hong Sok Kim speaking about 'Seoul National University as a Potential Global Hub for GHAN'