CRI

 [ABSTRACT]

Eco-friendly agriculture is defined as sustainable farming that seeks to preserve biodiversity, maintain ecological cycles, and minimize the use of

chemical inputs, with the production of organic and pesticide-free agricultural products at its core. In Korea, it began in the 1970s as a civil-led 

organic farming movement, and since the 1990s, the government has institutionalized and strengthened its policy foundation.

From the mid-2000sonward, both production and consumption have expanded, marking a stage of maturation.

Among advanced scientific technologies, smart farming and green bio-technology offer viable solutions to enhance the sustainability and economic 

feasibility of eco-friendly agriculture. Smart farming utilizes IoT, AI, and automation technologies to minimize the use of pesticides and fertilizers, 

enable precise growth management, and allow remote control of farming environments. 

Green bio-technologies, such as microbial fertilizers, gene editing, and biochar, serve as substitutes for chemical inputs and improve soil health.

Global examples of applying these technologies to eco-friendly agriculture include: Spain’s La Rioja region, which achieved a 40% reduction in water 

use and a 20% yield increase through IoT sensors; Harper Adams University in the UK, which realized fully automated organic crop cultivation using 

drones and robots; Krop AI in India, which reduced water consumption by 95% through AI-based hydroponics; Blue River Technology in the U.S., 

which cut pesticide use by up to 90% with AI-powered weeding robots; and the University of Sydney in Australia, which improved soil quality and 

achieved carbon sequestration using biochar.

Domestic cases include the Goesan Smart Organic Agricultural Complex, which implements ICT-based precision organic farming systems, and the 

Smart Organic Apple Farm in Gyeongbuk Province.

These examples demonstrate that technology can achieve both productivity and environmental protection simultaneously. In particular, smart farming has proven competitive in reducing labor intensity and improving product quality. However, while green bio-technologies show high potential 

effectiveness, field-based validation remains limited, requiring further research and dissemination support.

In Chungcheongbuk-do Province, eco-friendly farming centered on organic agriculture is on the rise, while pesticide-free farming tends to decline.

By region, Goesan and Danyang counties record the highest proportions of eco-friendly cultivation areas (5.5% and 5.4%, respectively), while 

Cheongju City has the largest total area.

Over the past decade, the number of certifications, cultivation areas, and shipment volumes for organic farming have generally increased, whereas 

pesticide-free farming has stagnated or declined in most regions. Shipment volumes also vary significantly across regions. Goesan, Danyang, and 

Cheongju exhibit a high proportion of eco-friendly crops such as cabbage and sweet potatoes.

In income analysis, crops such as sweet potatoes, cabbage, and citrus showed high profitability, whereas onions and cherry tomatoes yielded lower 

returns due to high labor costs. Compared to conventional crops, income differentials were substantial: cabbage (199.3%) and sweet potatoes 

(167.8%) generated higher income, while onions (49.9%) showed lower profitability.

Eco-friendly farmers in Chungcheongbuk-do identify major challenges such as labor shortages, difficulties in pest control, instability due to climate 

change, and limitations in securing sales channels. Nevertheless, they express optimistic expectations toward the adoption of advanced 

technologies, particularly for automated irrigation systems, pest monitoring, and environmental condition tracking, which are perceived as practically 

beneficial.

Based on these findings, strategies for introducing smart farming into eco-friendly agriculture include: ① phased introduction through pilot zones,

② development of crop-specific technology packages,③ farmer education and acceptance-building, and ④ public-private collaboration for 

technology dissemination.

For introducing green bio-technologies, the proposed measures are: ① expanding field verification and practical application, ② linking with

eco-friendly certification systems, and ③ establishing an R&D–farmer connection framework.

Finally, institutional support measures for adopting advanced science and technology in eco-friendly agriculture include: ① establishing a foundation 

for technology dissemination, ② strengthening economic incentives, and ③ enhancing education and capacity building.