APIRAS APAARI Good Practice n.3 on Institutional Innovations. Shaping Farmers for Tomorrow: Innovation in Agricultural Education in South Korea

The Korea National University of Agriculture and Fisheries (KNUAF)'s innovative program is helping South Korea overcome issues relating to its ageing rural population while simultaneously developing elite human resources to establish and promote a highly competent agriculture sector. Since its inception, the KNUAF has been producing young highly competent professionals to manage its high tech agriculture either as entrepreneurs or farm managers.

KNUAF has developed a unique program that selects youth who are willing to take up farming and fisheries, provides them hands on experience with farming, support them in establishing a startup of their choice and provide continued support for another 7-10 years after they graduate. This holds several lessons for countries trying to attract and retain their youth in agriculture, says Dr. Song-sup in this Good Practice Note.