The Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency

What The Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency does

The Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency (KOAT, 한국농업기술진흥원) is a government-affiliated institution established in 2010 under South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), operating under the Agricultural Technology Promotion Act. KOAT's mandate is to promote the commercialization of agricultural science and technology R&D outcomes and to modernize Korean agriculture in response to structural challenges including an aging farming population and rural-to-urban migration-driven labor shortages. Its core functions span technology verification, analysis and testing, demonstration, startup incubation, seed industry promotion, and agricultural export support.

KOAT delivers these functions through an integrated multi-platform ecosystem: the Analysis and Testing Center (lab.koat.or.kr) provides agricultural resource analysis, bio-nutrient analysis, agricultural machinery and ICT reliability evaluation, and seed certification; the Smart Farm Innovation Valley Sangju (sj.koat.or.kr) and Jeonbuk Gimje Demonstration Complex serve as physical testbeds for new smart farm technologies; the Technical Evaluation Assistance System (value.koat.or.kr) supports technology assessment; and supporting platforms include Seed Plaza, the Seed Industry Promotion Center, the Agricultural Startup Information Network (a-startup), the Smart Green Food platform, the Agricultural Machinery Information Plaza (aminfo.or.kr), and the NATI technology commercialization network. Recent technology additions include an Autonomous Smart Foliar Fertiliser Sprayer developed with KNCAF (field-trialed across four regions in November 2025, with 92.2% farmer interest), and a new eco-friendly agricultural machinery component testing facility in Iksan scheduled for full-scale operations in 2026. The organization also operates a dedicated AI Information Center and AX Innovation Growth Team to support AI commercialization in agri-food, alongside programs such as the 2026 Smart Agriculture AI Competition.

KOAT's business model is primarily a public-service delivery model funded by MAFRA rather than a commercial revenue model, with most services provided at no direct cost to beneficiaries; certain analysis and testing services carry specific fees. Distribution is largely domestic (South Korea) with indirect overseas reach via supported startups (e.g., Crable's autonomous driving deployment on Indonesian plantations with POSCO International). The agency is overseen by representative Lee Seok-hyung (이석형) and is structured around specialized headquarters including Planning & Operations, AI Information Center, Information Management Center, Operations Support Division, and divisions for Safety Management, Corporate Ethics, and Seed Industry Promotion. KOAT's customer base is structurally diversified across Korean farmers, agri-food startups, and agricultural materials export companies, with no single named customer appearing to dominate.

Name

The Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency

Legal name

The Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency

Website

https://koat.or.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency (KOAT) is a South Korean government-affiliated institution under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs that promotes commercialization of agricultural science and technology R&D through testing, demonstration, startup incubation, and technology verification services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Technology Services

NAICS

Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities (92614)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Decision Support & Agronomic Modeling (Yield, Irrigation, Pest/Disease Forecasting) (AFAAAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

CEA Monitoring, Sensors & Automation Software (SCADA, IoT, Climate/Recipe Control) (AFAAAHAG), Irrigation, Fertigation & Nutrient Delivery Systems (Dosing, Injectors, Sensors) (AFAAAHAE), Fertilizer & Lime Quality Testing Services (AFACAKAK)

Keywords

• Agricultural technology promotion
• Smart farming services
• Agricultural testing services
• Seed industry development
• Agricultural startup support

Headquarters

HQ city

Iksan

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency (KOAT) is a South Korean government-affiliated institution under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. It promotes commercialization of agricultural science and technology R&D achievements by operating the Analysis and Testing Center, the Smart Farm Innovation Valley demonstration complexes, the Seed Industry Promotion Center, and multiple online platforms (NATI, Seed Plaza, a-startups, Smart Green Food). It supports agri-food startups from technology verification through commercialization and investment linkage, and conducts agricultural machinery, ICT, and seed certification testing.

Product overview

KOAT operates as a multi-platform ecosystem providing comprehensive agricultural technology services. The core infrastructure includes the Analysis and Testing Center (lab.koat.or.kr) offering agricultural resource analysis, bio-nutrient testing, and agricultural machinery reliability evaluation; the Smart Farm Innovation Valley Sangju (sj.koat.or.kr) demonstration complex for smart agriculture technologies; and the Technical Evaluation Assistance System (value.koat.or.kr) supporting technology assessment. Supporting platforms include Seed Plaza (seedplaza.or.kr) for seed transactions, Seed Industry Promotion Center (seedcenter.koat.or.kr), Agricultural Startup Information Network (a-startups.or.kr), Smart Green Food (smartgreenfood.org), Agricultural Machinery Information Plaza (aminfo.or.kr), and NATI technology commercialization platform (nati.or.kr). Recent innovations include an autonomous smart foliar fertiliser sprayer (in field trials) and an eco-friendly agricultural machinery testing facility in Iksan (operations from 2026).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Analysis and Testing Center (분석검정센터) Provides comprehensive analysis and testing services for agricultural resources, bio-nutrients, agricultural machinery and ICT reliability evaluation, fertilizer and feed analysis, and seed certification/virus testing. Used by farmers, agri-food companies, and regulators.
• Smart Farm Innovation Valley Sangju Demonstration Complex (경북 상주 스마트팜 혁신밸리 실증단지) A demonstration complex providing facilities for testing new smart farm technologies, products, and equipment to enhance global competitiveness through practical application. Used by smart farm technology providers and agri-food companies.
• Technical Evaluation Assistance System (기술평가도움시스템) A platform supporting technology evaluation for agricultural innovations. Used by agri-food startups and technology providers seeking technology assessment.
• Smart Green Food (스마트그린푸드) A smart agriculture platform for food production and distribution. Used by producers, distributors, and stakeholders across the food value chain.
• Agricultural Startup Information Network (a-startup, 농식품창업정보망) An information network supporting agricultural and food startup ventures. Used by agri-food startup founders and venture program managers.
• Seed Industry Promotion Center (종자산업진흥센터) A center dedicated to promoting and supporting the seed industry. Used by seed producers, distributors, and seed industry stakeholders.
• Seed Plaza (종자광장) A platform for seed trading and information exchange. Used by seed buyers, sellers, and seed industry participants.
• Agricultural Machinery Information Plaza (농기계정보광장) An information platform for agricultural machinery. Used by farmers, agricultural machinery dealers, and equipment manufacturers.
• NATI - Agricultural Technology Businessization Information Network (농식품기술사업화 종합정보망) A comprehensive information network supporting the commercialization of agricultural food technology. Used by agri-food startups, researchers, and technology commercialization stakeholders.
• Autonomous Smart Foliar Fertiliser Sprayer An autonomous smart foliar fertiliser sprayer developed in collaboration with the Korea National College of Agriculture and Fisheries (KNCAF), designed to address labor shortages caused by an aging farming population and rural-to-urban migration.
• Eco-Friendly Agricultural Machinery Component Testing Facility A new eco-friendly agricultural machinery component testing facility located in Iksan, scheduled to begin full-scale operations in 2026 to support the rollout of electric farm machinery.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92.2% of respondents expressed interest in using autonomous smart foliar fertiliser sprayer technology

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Korea National College of Agriculture and Fisheries (KNCAF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 November 2025KoAT launched field trials of an autonomous smart foliar fertiliser sprayer developed in collaboration with KNCAF. This partnership addresses labour shortages caused by an ageing farming population and rural-to-urban migration through joint development of autonomous agricultural technology.
• POSCO InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrable, an autonomous farming technology startup supported by KoAT, is conducting an autonomous driving demonstration project on Indonesian plantations in partnership with POSCO International.
• Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural AffairscoreOthersKOAT operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), implementing various agricultural technology promotion policies and programs.
• Rural Development AdministrationcoreOthersKOAT collaborates with the Rural Development Administration (RDA) on agricultural technology development and dissemination programs.
• Korea Agricultural Technology Evaluation Institute (IPET)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKOAT works with IPET for agricultural technology planning and evaluation services.
• Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Technology (KEIT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKOAT collaborates with KEIT for industrial technology evaluation and policy support.
• Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKOAT works with KIAT for technology development and commercialization support.
• Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Agency (aT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKOAT collaborates with aT for agricultural and fisheries product distribution and trade promotion.
• Korea Agricultural Products Quality Management ServiceminorOthersKOAT works with the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service on quality certification and standards.
• National Seed OrganizationminorOthersKOAT collaborates with the National Seed Organization on seed industry development and promotion.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Rural Development Administration (RDA, Korea): Sister Korean government agency under MAFRA responsible for agricultural R&D and technology dissemination. Directly comparable mandate around promoting agricultural technology to Korean farmers and conducting related research/extension work, but with a stronger research rather than commercialization focus.
• Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Agency (aT): Korean government-affiliated agency under MAFRA focused on agricultural and fisheries product distribution and trade promotion. Comparable as a MAFRA-supervised agency supporting Korean agricultural industry development, though its mandate is export/trade rather than technology verification.
• Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT): Government technology promotion agency supporting technology development and commercialization for Korean SMEs. Directly comparable in its mandate to bridge technology development with commercial deployment, though its scope is broader than agriculture.
• USDA Agricultural Research Service: USDA's in-house research agency conducting agricultural science and technology development for U.S. farmers. Comparable in the agricultural R&D and dissemination mandate, though U.S. counterparts rely more on extension services through land-grant universities.
• Wageningen University & Research (WUR): Dutch research institution combining Wageningen University and research institutes focused on agriculture, food, and environment. Comparable in integrating agricultural research, technology validation, and commercialization pathways, with strong international reputation.

Direct peers

• National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO, Japan): Japan's national agricultural research and promotion organization, with parallel functions in agricultural technology R&D, dissemination to farmers, and commercialization support. Closest international peer in mandate and operating model, given similar East Asian demographic and food security context.
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): India's apex national body for agricultural research, education, and technology extension. Comparable in combining research, farmer-facing technology dissemination, and seed/agri-input industry support under a single public mandate.
• China Rural Technology Development Center (CRTDC): Chinese government entity under the Ministry of Science and Technology responsible for rural and agricultural technology promotion. Closest large-market peer with parallel mandate to promote commercialization of agricultural science and technology achievements.

Others

• Korea Institute of Industrial Economics and Technology (KEIT): Government technology evaluation and policy support agency. Comparable as a collaborating partner to KOAT for industrial technology assessment, though its mandate is broader across industries rather than agriculture-specific.
• Eurofins Scientific: Global testing, inspection, and certification company with significant agricultural testing operations. Comparable as a commercial counterpart to KOAT's Analysis & Testing Center activities (agricultural resource analysis, fertilizer/feed testing, ICT reliability evaluation), though Eurofins operates purely as a private testing services provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCivpeS9pydWHhwpUqakhkFQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/KoatFriends

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments4 records

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Frequently asked questions about The Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency