The South Korean government selected two cities - Sangju in North Gyeongsang Province and Gimje in North Jeolla Province - as places to establish Smart Farm Innovation Valley, an agricultural complex based on information and communication technology (ICT), the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Thursday.

Smart Farm Innovation Valley is a state project to promote mutual growth of the agricultural industry and related sectors by nurturing young talents and promoting technological innovations. It is among eight new industries the government has vowed to concentrate public resources for fast development in its remaining term.

The government will set up job training centers, rental smart farms and test centers in which businesses and research institutions can develop and test technologies by 2021 in Sangju and Gimje. At the same time, the government will establish a green house complex and agricultural produce distribution center, and improve houses in the two cities.

Sangju City aims to nurture 80 specialized workers for smart farms through its project to nurture young farmers. It will also set up a center to provide mentoring service and cultural district.

Gimje City will transform old facilities into smart farms and simplify sales network by integrating regional marketing channels.

By Lee Yu-sup and Choi Mira

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