Hoengseong develops first customized fertilizer prescription machine

Hoengseong County, South Korea, has pioneered the development of the nation's first customized fertilizer prescription machine, named 'FertilizerON'. This innovative system aims to bridge the gap between soil testing and fertilizer purchasing, offering a streamlined process for farmers.

Traditionally, farmers had to wait for soil test results, often requiring a visit to the agricultural technology center or waiting for mail delivery. This inconvenience led many, particularly elderly farmers, to continue using fertilizers based on conventional practices, resulting in over-purchase and overuse. Furthermore, farmers who did use prescriptions often requested adjustments based on the fertilizers available at local stores, while sales staff found it difficult to match prescriptions with available stock.

To address these issues, the Hoengseong County Agricultural Technology Center integrated real-time data from soil testing, the Rural Development Administration's 'Heultoram' database, and the Nonghyup (National Agricultural Cooperative Federation) fertilizer sales system. FertilizerON allows farmers to input their field's land number, crop type, and desired fertilizer details at a kiosk located at Nonghyup sales points. The machine then instantly issues a customized prescription based on soil composition and standard application rates.

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This is the fruit of communication that has broken down institutional barriers and proactive administration, actively accommodating the inconveniences faced by farmers.

The system has received recognition for its originality and technological merit, with patent applications and trademark registrations underway. The center anticipates significant benefits, including economic gains for farmers and environmental protection. Utilizing the prescription system is projected to reduce fertilizer usage by an average of 31.2% compared to conventional methods. This reduction in fertilizer overuse will help prevent the runoff of nitrogen and phosphorus into waterways, thereby improving water quality and contributing to carbon neutrality in the agricultural sector.

Hoengseong County plans to refine the system through pilot operations and establish it as a model for government innovation that can be replicated nationwide. Park Sun-hee, head of the Research and Development Division at the Hoengseong County Agricultural Technology Center, stated, "This is the fruit of communication that has broken down institutional barriers and proactive administration, actively accommodating the inconveniences faced by farmers. Starting with pilot installations at the end of this month, we will lead the way in substantially reducing farm operating costs and promoting sustainable eco-friendly agriculture."

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Starting with pilot installations at the end of this month, we will lead the way in substantially reducing farm operating costs and promoting sustainable eco-friendly agriculture.