Dear esteemed members of the Korean Society of International Agriculture,

Our society was founded in 1988, to promote overseas agricultural development and international exchange of agricultural technology, in addition to facilitate the information sharing of members. Since the foundation, the society has worked with international organizations and international agricultural research institutions, and conducted agricultural ODA project based on the Korean experience of agricultural and rural community development. It also has facilitated agricultural information exchange and technology transfer through bilateral cooperation, conducted studies of North Korean agriculture in preparation for the unification, and researched the prospects of building overseas production bases for Korean food security. Our academic discussions and activities covered various issues of international cooperation in the field of agriculture.

The global agricultural environment has dramatically changed in recent years. Despite the continued decline of the global grain production, population and the demand for food is rapidly rising, especially in developing countries. The materialization of climate change and energy crisis is giving rising to the prediction that the global food crisis will only accelerate. In addition, global powers such as the United States, United Kingdom, and China are spreading the spirit of national prioritization rather than international cooperation for mutual prosperity. Because Korea depends most of its food on overseas imports, the country is in need of interest in international agricultural development at the present moment.

In this time of change, our society will continue the effort to propose ways for the Korean agricultural industry should take and to guide the Korean agricultural community in a global context, making our best efforts along with our members. Thank you.

July 2019
Lee Jiweon
Chairmen, the Korean Society of International Agriculture