An Exploratory Study on the Development of a Social Farming Practice Model Utilizing Smart Agriculture for Individuals with Psychosocial Disability

In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, vocational rehabilitation for individuals with Psychosocial Disability faces new challenges, with job creation for sustainable economic independence emerging as a critical issue. This study explores the possibility of applying social agriculture as a vocational rehabilitation approach for individuals with Psychosocial Disability and proposes practical and policy strategies utilizing smart agriculture technology. To achieve this, focus group interviews (FGI) were conducted with five experts who have experience in social agriculture and smart agriculture, and representative cases of urban and rural social agriculture were analyzed. The results revealed practical models from Company A (urban) and Company B (rural). For Company A (urban), the need to utilize idle urban spaces for the introduction of smart agriculture systems and the development of tailored job models for individuals with disabilities was emphasized. Additionally, legal recognition as agricultural workers and the introduction of a support worker system for agriculture, along with related education, were considered crucial. In Company B (rural), the focus was on establishing a joint production and sales network and building a sustainable smart agriculture model through cooperation with government and local authorities. The need for financial support systems, such as low-interest loan programs, was also identified. This study presents the potential of smart agriculture as a vocational rehabilitation model for individuals with Psychosocial Disability from both practical and policy perspectives. It suggests that future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of smart agriculture-based vocational rehabilitation programs for individuals with disabilities.