Korea is taking a significant step towards safeguarding its agricultural sector with the introduction of a new, comprehensive crop disaster insurance scheme designed for four key fruit crops—apples, pears, sweet persimmons, and astringent persimmons.

 Song Mei-ryeong, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, annouched this upgraded insurance product is set to launch first in major fruit-producing regions, offering growers stronger resilience against increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.

This new coverage model differs notably from existing insurance options. It provides protection throughout the entire growing season and includes damages that occur after fruit thinning, a stage where crops are often more vulnerable. By covering losses caused by natural disasters at every phase of cultivation, the policy aims to close long-standing gaps that farmers have struggled with under earlier schemes.

A major advantage of the new product is its inclusion of compensation for heatstroke damage triggered by heat waves after thinning—a growing concern as extreme temperatures become more frequent. The Ministry emphasises that this broader protection makes the insurance far more beneficial compared with traditional offerings.

Before the thinning stage, farmers will be eligible for compensation for all natural-disaster-related losses. After thinning, the insurance will cover damages linked to specific natural events. One notable feature is the continuation of the pilot anthracnose insurance for apple growers. This initiative supports farmers whose crops suffer anthracnose infections despite diligent prevention measures. Compensation is provided once the farmer’s control efforts have been verified.

The Ministry has also highlighted a clear threshold for certain claims: “When there is rain for 5 consecutive days and the accumulated rainfall is 150mm or more.” This measurable standard ensures fairness and clarity for farmers when submitting damage reports.

In addition to fruit-crop protection, the government is also adjusting insurance timelines for other major crops. Due to delays in sowing and transplanting caused by heavy rain, the subscription period for both agricultural income stabilisation insurance and crop disaster insurance for garlic and onions will be extended by one week. This extension aims to maximise participation and ensure that as many farmers as possible are covered during this challenging season.

By expanding the scope of agricultural insurance, Korea is reinforcing its commitment to building a more secure and sustainable farming environment—one where growers have the tools and support needed to face rising climate risks with greater confidence.

The Philippines has taken a decisive step toward strengthening its position in global aquaculture with the launch of its largest crayfish nursery—a flagship development designed to scale production of the high-value Australian Redclaw crayfish.

The project, built through the partnership of Farm Fresh Early Catch Inc., Taiwan’s Da Shin Biotech Ltd., and the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), marks a defining moment for the country’s fast-growing aquaculture sector.

The new nursery will focus on mass-producing Cherax quadricarinatus, a resilient and fast-growing species prized by both domestic and international markets. Government officials say the initiative supports national efforts to strengthen food security while boosting long-term livelihood opportunities in rural areas.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., in remarks delivered by Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel de Mesa, highlighted the power of collaboration behind the facility. “Built through the partnership of Farm Fresh Early Catch Inc., Da Shin Biotech, and the DA-BFAR, this nursery shows that when government, private innovators, and fisherfolk come together, progress stops being a dream—it becomes our shared reality,” he said.

Tiu Laurel added that crayfish aquaculture “opens new doors for our fisherfolk—bringing in more income, more livelihood, and more food on our tables,” while underscoring the need for responsible production and adherence to BFAR’s ecological protection guidelines. Every pond, he said, must “nurture care, discipline, and respect for the balance of our ecosystems.”

Situated in Candaba - a wetlands area renowned for its freshwater abundance—the 1,280-square-metre facility features 16 tanks capable of producing up to 48,000 fry every two weeks. It also introduces advanced water-recycling systems that help reduce waste and conserve freshwater, addressing one of the most common environmental criticisms of aquaculture operations.

The nursery will supply Farm Fresh’s existing 3-hectare grow-out ponds, which already produce around 30 tonnes of market-ready crayfish each year. It will also support a broad network of partner growers as production expands nationwide.

From 2026, Farm Fresh plans to roll out large-scale grow-out operations covering 1,500 hectares in Luzon and 750 hectares each in the Visayas and Mindanao. When these sites reach full capacity, they are projected to deliver more than 1,200 tonnes of crayfish every six months—volumes that could position the Philippines as a competitive player in the regional and global aquaculture market.

Crayfish provide a nutrient-dense, low-impact protein source that requires minimal feed. The project is expected to generate over 3,000 direct jobs and stimulate additional enterprise in farming communities.

The launch marks the beginning of a world-class crayfish industry designed to place the Philippines firmly on the global aquaculture map.

Volvo Penta showcased Volvo Penta Co-Pilot, its smart off-highway productivity solutions, for the first time at Agritechnica 2025, highlighting its commitment to innovation, connectivity, and enhanced machine performance.

Designed to help businesses improve efficiency and competitiveness, the advanced vehicle control system opened new possibilities for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and end customers across productivity optimisation, digital connectivity, and intelligent vehicle management.

At Agritechnica 2025, Volvo Penta placed the spotlight on Volvo Penta Co-Pilot as a robust, scalable solution for the off-highway sector. Built on proven Volvo Group technologies, the platform provided OEMs and operators with a unified interface to access critical data, insights, and tools. Its flexible architecture allowed multiple features and user interfaces to coexist, ensuring seamless scalability and future readiness as operational demands evolved.

Volvo Penta Co-Pilot was engineered to support fleet owners and machine operators in managing projects more effectively. The system integrated a fully connected machine HMI, advanced machine controls, and a perception camera to enhance on-site safety. Additional capabilities included tyre pressure monitoring, service and maintenance information, and intelligent operator support tools. The platform also supported operator coaching through smart features such as high-precision positioning, load assist on-board weighing (OBW), and vehicle stability control, helping to maximise uptime and operational accuracy.

“In line with our collaborative, partnership approach at Volvo Penta, we worked with customers to tailor the solution to meet their specific needs,” explained Emil Andersson, product planning Industrial, Volvo Penta. “This means they could customize the platform, add to it, and adapt it as their requirements changed, making it a future-proof solution.”

Alongside Volvo Penta Co-Pilot, the company reinforced its reputation as a trusted partner in power solutions for the agricultural and off-highway sectors. Under the theme ‘Made To Move You – Moving Further. Together’, visitors explored the D16 combustion engine, exhaust aftertreatment systems (EATS), and a remanufactured engine, all reflecting Volvo Penta’s focus on performance, reliability, and sustainability.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) has designated seven provinces Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Jeollanam-do as the first-ever “Green Bio Industry Promotion Zones” in accordance with Article 15 of the Act on the Promotion of the Green Bio Industry.

This milestone marks a significant step in the Republic of Korea’s strategy to strengthen its green bioeconomy and drive sustainable industrial growth.

Introduced for the first time this year, the Green Bio Industry Promotion Zone system is designed to establish a comprehensive, region-led framework for business support. The initiative is built around provincial hubs where green bio companies, universities, research institutes, and essential infrastructure for technology verification and certification are closely integrated. Through this clustered approach, local governments are expected to play a leading role in nurturing innovation, accelerating technology transfer, and supporting market-ready solutions.

The selected zones were evaluated and designated following a rigorous assessment process. Key criteria included industrial growth potential, implementation capacity, policy relevance, and overall feasibility. This ensures that each province is well positioned to contribute effectively to the national green bio strategy while leveraging its own regional strengths and resources.

The green-bio industry itself is regarded as a next-generation growth engine, encompassing six major sectors: microorganisms, natural products, food materials, insects, seeds, and veterinary medical products. With the designation of the Green Bio Industry Development Zones, collaboration networks among provinces are expected to deepen. In parallel, processes for verification, evaluation, certification, and commercialisation of green bio technologies and products are set to accelerate, helping to create a dynamic and competitive innovation ecosystem.

MAFRA plans to support the designated provinces by granting eligibility to participate in government-funded infrastructure development projects, including the Green Bio Venture Campus and advanced biofoundries. In addition, policy incentives will be provided to companies operating within the zones, further encouraging private-sector participation and investment in sustainable bio-based industries.

To ensure accountability and continuous improvement, MAFRA will receive quarterly performance reports from the local governments managing the designated zones. Annual performance evaluations will also be conducted to closely monitor implementation progress. Importantly, the results of these evaluations will be reflected in the formulation of policies for the following year, reinforcing a results-driven and adaptive governance approach.

Through these measures, the ROK aims to position itself at the forefront of green bio innovation, fostering regional development while advancing a resilient, sustainable bioeconomy aligned with global green growth trends.