Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Department of Bioenvironmental Chemistry has attracted attention by launching a training program for field practitioners aimed at developing specialist personnel for pest and disease management in agricultural settings.

The Department of Bioenvironmental Chemistry, together with the National Crop Protection Distributors Association, held the opening ceremony for the "2026 First Session Pest and Disease Management Consultant Certification Training" on October 17, 2026, and announced the full commencement of the training program to develop specialist personnel for pest and disease management in agricultural fields.

This training, aimed at pesticide sales managers, was developed to strengthen their specialized knowledge in pest- and disease-related fields and their on-site response capabilities, and to cultivate professionals who can provide farmers with systematic pest and disease management information.

The opening ceremony was attended by association officials including Park Young-ju, president of the National Crop Protection Distributors Association, Professor Yoon Ju-yeon of the JBNU Department of Bioenvironmental Chemistry, and 50 trainees, who together marked the start of the first certified training session.

The program runs from October 17 to December 19, 2026, for 10 weeks (120 hours), and features instructors from JBNU as well as other domestic universities, the Rural Development Administration, related research institutes, and industry experts.

The main curriculum includes ▲ Pesticide Science and Pesticide Safety Management ▲ Crop Physiology and Seed Science ▲ Plant Pathology and Plant Disease Management ▲ Agricultural Entomology and Pest Management ▲ Weed Classification and Control ▲ Soil Science ▲ Pest and Disease Consulting Practice.

In particular, the program emphasizes developing practical skills by combining theoretical instruction with field training, including visits to facility-based farms, so participants can diagnose pest and disease damage occurring in real agricultural settings and propose appropriate control measures. In addition, a separate qualification examination will be conducted after completion of the training to comprehensively evaluate trainees' specialized knowledge and practical capabilities.

Park Young-ju, president of the National Crop Protection Distributors Association, emphasized in his remarks the importance of improving the professionalism of pesticide sales managers and guiding proper pesticide use, stating, "Pesticide sales managers have the important responsibility not only of selling pesticides but also of advising farmers on correct pesticide usage and contributing to the production of safe agricultural products," and expressed his expectation that "this training will serve as an opportunity to enhance the professionalism and on-site guidance capabilities of pesticide sales managers."

Professor Yoon Ju-yeon of the JBNU Department of Bioenvironmental Chemistry stated, "Through this training, we will actively support trainees to strengthen their diagnostic and management capabilities for pests and diseases based on systematic theoretical instruction and field training, and to grow into trusted experts in agricultural settings." He added, "Going forward, JBNU will continue to expand specialized education that meets field demand through close cooperation with the agricultural sector, and will strive to contribute to the production of safe agricultural products and sustainable agricultural development."