Biogreen21 is a national R&D program to gear up agro-biotechnologies mainly organized by the Rural Development Administration in close cooperation with industrial-universities consortia for 10 years since the year 2001. The goals of the program are : 1) Development of indigenous and fundamental agrobiotechnologies and materials in Korea. 2) Promotion of practical use of agrobiotechnology on the basis of indigenous fundamental technology. 3) Provision of the foundation for agricultural industry using advanced technologies through the development of novel biomaterials with value-added functional traits. The program is composed of three phases to accomplish the goal for 10 years through the developmental stages as the time goes by. Final phase will be due on 2008 to 2010. The goal of the phase would be on promotion of product-based projects for industrialization of biotechnological outputs. The objectives of the phase will be put on : 1) bisafety assessment of Gm products and commerciliazation of transgenic plants, and 2) Certification of novel materials with high value including its promotion and commercialization. If we could have carried out this special project successfully, it would be expected 1) Realization of a strong nation with advanced agrobiotechnology by constructing the foundation of science comparable to that of developed countries. 2) Transforming Korean agriculture into a high-tech and highly competitive industry with competitiveness. 3) Improving quality of rural life through reduction of labor power and environment- friendly agriculture

• Kim, Yong Hwan(Rural Development Administration, Research & Development Bureau, Biogreen21 Program Team)