Farming has always been a mix of tradition and hard work. For many years, the work was guided by the physical effort of farmers and their machines. But today, a big change is happening in fields all over the world, thanks to new technology. This is especially true in places like Iksan, South Korea, a city famous for a simple crop: the sweet potato. By using smart farming tools, Iksan is not only growing a great product but also building a stronger economy and a more efficient future for its farming.
You might have heard about Iksan's sweet potato without even knowing it. The city recently partnered with McDonald's Korea to create the hugely popular "Iksan Sweet Potato Mozzarella Burger and Muffin". This burger became a nationwide hit, selling more than 100,000 units in just nine days—the fastest sales record ever for McDonald's' "Taste of Korea" project. This success did more than just sell burgers; it put Iksan's sweet potatoes on the map, showing everyone how special they are.
Why Sweet Potatoes Are Important to Iksan
Iksan is one of the main places in South Korea for growing sweet potatoes, ranking as the fourth largest in the country. It also supplies a large number of the nation's sweet potato seeds, about 60%. The sweet potatoes from this area are special because they grow in rich, yellow soil around Mireuksan Mountain and get a lot of sun. This gives them a high sugar content and a wonderfully soft texture.
The success of the McDonald's partnership has been a huge boost for the local economy. The city saw a big increase in local donations and is now planning to sell even more sweet potatoes. They want to work with large supermarkets and online stores, and they're even talking with McDonald's about possibly bringing the burger back. This all shows how a single crop can become a key part of a region's success.
The Challenge of Planting Sweet Potato
Growing sweet potatoes, like any crop, needs careful work. One of the most important jobs is to create the ridges, or rows, in the soil where the potato stems will be planted. These rows must be perfectly straight and spaced just right. If they are not consistent, it makes planting much harder and can hurt the final harvest.In the past, this was a very hard job that required a lot of focus and skill from the tractor driver. In Iksan, some of the local farmers use powerful Fendt 936 tractors, which are known for their strength and are a great fit for the sandy soil there. But to get those perfectly straight rows, they need more than just a strong tractor—they need a system that can steer with perfect accuracy. This is where FJDynamics technology helps make a tough job much easier.
The FJD AS2 Max: Precision in Sandy Fields
To solve this challenge, farmers are turning to technology like the FJD AS2 Max Steer Ready Autosteering System. On a farm in Iksan, two Fendt 936 tractors have been equipped with this system. They work together, sharing the same guidance lines to create perfectly straight ridges for planting. The FJD AS2 Max fits perfectly with these steer-ready tractors, making the installation simple and the operation smooth.
One of the most helpful parts of the AS2 Max is its large 12.1-inch screen. This screen is much bigger than the standard 10.1-inch one and gives the driver a clearer view of the guidance lines and other information. This helps reduce mistakes and makes sure every pass is perfect.
Once the AB lines are created in one tractor, they can be shared online with another tractor. This allows the two Fendt machines to work together perfectly, making a job that used to require a lot of manual effort much easier and more precise.
Powered by the AS2 Max, the tractors create the perfect rows, and workers follow right behind to plant the sweet potato stems. It's a good example of people and machines working together. The ridging accuracy lets the workers plant more efficiently because they can easily follow the straight rows. This human-machine coordination makes every pass count, which leads to a better harvest in the end.
The Future of Farming in Iksan
The story of planting sweet potatoes in Iksan demonstrates how modern technology is changing farming. It’s not about machines replacing people, but about using smart tools to make difficult jobs simpler and more efficient. This mix of old traditions and new technology shows what the future of farming will look like.With its focus on growing the sweet potato business and using smart farming tools, Iksan is showing the world a new way to farm—a way that is more productive, more profitable, and proves that a simple crop can bring great success to an entire region.