Seoul, Republic of Korea | April 23-24, 2026
Under the theme “Digital Roots: Transforming Smallholder Agriculture Through Innovation,” the SEEDS Regional Digital Symposium 2026 brought together farmer organizations, government representatives, development partners, startups, researchers, and private sector actors from across Asia to discuss the future of digital agriculture for smallholder farmers.
Organized through the Smallholders Economic Empowerment through Digital Solutions (SEEDS) Project, the symposium served as a regional platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange on how digital innovation can become more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable for farming communities in Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Implemented by AsiaDHRRA in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of the Republic of Korea, and GrowAsia, the event highlighted both the opportunities and realities of scaling digital agriculture across Southeast Asia.
One of the key agenda items was the presentation of achievements from the SEEDS Project, implemented from 2023 to 2026 with the goal of improving the economic rights and livelihoods of smallholder farmers through digital solutions. Across Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, the project has supported the adoption of digital technologies among approximately 12,000 smallholder farmers while also contributing to regional agricultural innovation through policymaker capacity building, digital directories, and policy recommendation development.
Discussions throughout the symposium focused on how agriculture in the region is increasingly being shaped by climate change, market volatility, and rapidly evolving technological environments. While digital tools, mobile technologies, and e-commerce platforms continue to expand, many farming communities still face persistent structural challenges, including limited market access, low bargaining power, infrastructure gaps, and increasing climate risks.
On the second day, participants were brought directly into the field through visits to agricultural learning sites and smart farms in Yeoncheon and Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do Province. The visits transformed many of the symposium discussions into firsthand experiences, allowing participants to observe how Korea’s smart farming ecosystem operates in practice and how digital technologies are increasingly integrated into agricultural production systems.
The day began with a visit to the Yeoncheon-gun Agricultural Technology Center, where participants explored Korea’s agricultural technology dissemination systems and smart farming support mechanisms. Discussions focused on technology transfer, agricultural modernization, and how Korea’s smart farming experiences may provide valuable insights for ASEAN countries working toward more resilient and digitally enabled agricultural systems.
Participants later visited a family-operated cucumber greenhouse and a smart strawberry healing farm utilizing ICT-based environmental controls, hydroponic systems, and vertical farming technologies. The visits provided participants with a closer understanding of how smart farming technologies are being applied in actual farming operations and how innovation can help support more sustainable and efficient agricultural production.
The SEEDS Regional Digital Symposium 2026 concluded as a valuable platform for strengthening regional cooperation and advancing inclusive, people-centered, and digitally empowered agricultural development across Asia.
