Rural entrepreneurs gather to forge collaborative projects

Rural entrepreneurs from across the country are convening to identify collaborative projects and strengthen regional networks.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is hosting the "2026 Rural Startup Network Regional Leader Workshop" at the Korea Food Industry Cluster Promotion Agency in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, from Tuesday through Thursday.

The workshop was organized to share the operational results of each regional chapter of the rural startup network — which officially launched in March — and to broaden the foundation for cooperation among entrepreneurs.

The ministry launched the network to help rural entrepreneurs exchange information, experiences and know-how, and has since supported forums and workshops by linking the network with regional agri-food convergence industry support centers. It has also laid the groundwork for entrepreneurs to develop joint projects across four regional clusters: Gangwon Province and North Chungcheong Province; Gyeonggi Province and South Chungcheong Province; the Honam region and Jeju; and the Yeongnam region.

Participants will share the operational status and future plans of each regional chapter and discuss on-the-ground difficulties and policy recommendations. They will also pursue joint project development through in-depth discussions by sector — covering food, tourism and local branding — as well as an idea-matching program.

During the workshop, participants will tour the Korea Food Industry Cluster Promotion Agency's youth food startup center and take part in hands-on startup support programs. Government-backed initiatives, including the K-Food Startup Academy and corporate joint projects, will also be introduced.

After the workshop, the ministry plans to monitor progress on regional cooperation tasks and disseminate successful cases through a year-end outcomes-sharing event.

Jeon Han-young, director general for rural policy at the ministry, said rural startups hold greater growth potential when local resources and people are connected. "We will continue to provide support so that the rural startup network can take root as an entrepreneur-led, autonomous cooperation platform," he said.