Agricultural Ministry’s AI Tool Faces Scrutiny Amidst Farmer Frustration Over Soybean Production Data
Recent inaccuracies attributed to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ artificial intelligence tool, dubbed “KongGPT,” have significantly amplified existing frustrations among the nation’s farmers. The errors have led to pointed questions from agricultural organizations, with some alleging a deliberate underestimation of domestic soybean production. These suspicions are particularly concerning as they coincide with the government’s soybean procurement schedule, raising fears that the misrepresented figures could impact crucial purchasing volumes.
The controversy gained traction following a recent work report presented to President Lee Jae-myung. During this session, a significant discrepancy was highlighted regarding the projected output of soybeans. Minister Song Mi-ryung of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs eventually stepped in to personally correct the erroneous data presented to the president, a move that was subsequently communicated to the public in an effort to quell rising farmer discontent.
Unveiling the Discrepancy: From 83,000 to 170,000 Tons
The genesis of the dispute can be traced back to remarks made by Byun Sang-mun, the ministry’s director of food policy. In his presentation during the presidential work report, Byun estimated this year’s soybean production to be around 83,000 tons. This figure, however, stood in stark contrast to projections made by the Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI), which had anticipated a yield exceeding 150,000 tons.
Following this significant divergence, Minister Song directly addressed President Lee, rectifying the figures to indicate that domestic soybean production was actually expected to range between 160,000 and 170,000 tons. This correction was reportedly initiated after the presidential office itself identified the errors in the soybean production data and formally requested the ministry to provide accurate information.
Procurement Woes and Suspicions of Intentional Underreporting
The timing of this data inaccuracy has exacerbated tensions. The government commenced its soybean reserve procurement on the 8th of the month, a process vital for farmers who have increasingly shifted from rice cultivation to soybeans due to government-led initiatives to reduce rice paddies. However, reports emerged from various regions, including Jeollabuk-do, indicating severe shortfalls in the quantities of soybeans being allocated for purchase.
This situation has fueled anxieties among farmers who depend heavily on government procurement programs. A prominent farmer group voiced their deep-seated concerns, stating, “It’s hard to accept that the responsible director reported reduced production while we demand expanded soybean procurement. There are suspicions of intentional reporting.” The implication is that an artificially low production figure could be used as a justification for reducing the volume of soybeans the government purchases, thereby negatively impacting farmers’ incomes.
A ministry official, in an attempt to allay these fears, offered an explanation. “The answer was based on a misunderstanding of a question about domestic soybean consumption in processed foods,” the official stated. “There was no intention to reduce soybean reserves.” This explanation, however, has done little to fully convince the aggrieved farming communities.
Delayed Public Clarification Sparks Further Criticism
Adding another layer to the controversy was the delay in the ministry’s public communication regarding the corrected figures. While the correction to the president was made swiftly following the work report on the 11th, a full week elapsed before Minister Song issued a public statement addressing the issue. This clarification finally came on the evening of the 17th, via the minister’s social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram.
During her online address, Minister Song not only revised the soybean production forecast but also provided clarity on other related agricultural matters. These included confirming whether imported corn intended for food consumption is non-genetically modified (non-GMO) and adjusting figures pertaining to soybean imports specifically for oil production.
The extended period before the public announcement drew criticism, with many questioning the ministry’s transparency. A ministry official defended the delay, explaining, “We judged it necessary to convey accurate facts to the public. The delay was due to time spent refining the wording.” This explanation suggests a meticulous approach to ensuring the accuracy of the public statement, though it did little to mitigate the immediate concerns and suspicions that had already taken root among the farming sector. The incident underscores the critical need for transparent and timely communication from government bodies, especially when dealing with data that directly impacts the livelihoods of agricultural producers.
