A delegation from South Korea met Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann in Chandigarh to hold detailed discussions on cooperation in smart farming, advanced agricultural machinery and biotechnology. According to media reports, the meeting took place after the Chief Minister’s visit to South Korea in December last year and was part of the state government’s efforts to strengthen international ties in agriculture and related sectors.
During the discussions, Punjab was described as a predominantly agrarian state that has historically contributed to national food self sufficiency. At the same time, it was noted that shrinking and fragmented landholdings have made agriculture increasingly unviable for small and marginal farmers, creating the need for targeted technological interventions to improve productivity and income stability.
Technology pathways aligned to small landholdings
South Korea’s experience with vertical farming, automation, seed technology and small agricultural machinery was highlighted as particularly relevant for Punjab, given that these systems emerged in response to limited land availability. The discussions underscored Punjab’s interest in attracting South Korean investment in the small agricultural machinery segment, citing the country’s established expertise in this area.
Information shared after the meeting stated that discussions covered smart farming, agricultural machinery and biotechnology, with the central objective of enhancing cooperation between Punjab and South Korea to make agriculture a more economically viable enterprise. The visiting delegation also took note of Punjab’s cultural heritage and the overall working environment in the state.
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Scope for collaboration in agritech and biotechnology
The interaction also reviewed broader areas of cooperation, including automation of farm machinery, adoption of smart agricultural equipment, biotechnology, seed technology, smart combine harvesters, transplanters and allied sectors. Reference was made to shared development challenges faced by India and South Korea in the years following independence, and to Punjab’s transition into a food-surplus state with institutional support from Punjab Agricultural University. Punjab’s continued role as a major contributor of food grains to the central pool was also outlined.
Invitation to Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit 2026
As part of efforts to advance discussions through a structured platform, the South Korean delegation was invited to participate in the Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit 2026, scheduled to be held in Mohali from March 13 to 15. The summit was positioned as an opportunity to further explore cooperation and assess potential investment avenues.
Responding to the proposals discussed during the meeting, the visiting delegation expressed keen interest in working with Punjab, indicating the possibility of concrete partnerships in the near future. The engagement reflects Punjab’s continued outreach to countries such as South Korea as it seeks technology-based approaches to address structural challenges in agriculture and allied sectors.
