Utilizing IoT and Big Data by JD Tech
Kim Hee-chan, CEO of JD Tech, is discussing methods of cultivating domestic bananas using a platform based on smart farm big data.
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daeseop] "We will create an environment where bananas can be cultivated in various regions through a platform based on smart farm big data."
Kim Hee-chan, CEO of JD Tech (44), is leading the integration of smart farms and the sixth industry aimed at improving rural incomes by utilizing the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data. While operating a banana smart farm in Jeju, he is promoting the taste and quality of domestically grown bananas.
CEO Kim said, "Bananas rank first in fruit consumption in our country, but the proportion of domestically grown bananas is very small," adding, "There is a high demand for domestic bananas, but supply is insufficient." He further explained, "Currently, we cultivate bananas on an area of 3,306㎡ at our smart farm, producing about 40 tons annually."
Kim supplies bananas through NongHyup. Although demand is high, the current cultivation scale limits supply. Therefore, he purchased an additional 9,917㎡ of land in Jeju. The estimated cost for the smart farm facilities to be installed on the newly acquired land is about 800 million KRW. He also plans to purchase an additional 19,835㎡ of land by the end of this year.
Kim said, "We are cultivating bananas through smart farms to enable year-round production. As production increases, we will supply large supermarkets and expand distribution through a banana subscription service. We also plan to launch a banana cafe to supply juices."
JD Tech was selected as an 'A-Ventures' company by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs this year. As a smart farm startup, it received excellent evaluations in terms of corporate capability, technology, and contribution to agriculture.
The smart farm operated by CEO Kim is equipped with IoT devices and software systems that allow remote and automatic management of crop growth environments. Smart sensors collect data on temperature, humidity, illuminance, carbon dioxide, and soil, which are stored on a cloud server. Based on the analyzed information, facilities and environments are controlled.
Kim said, "By collecting and monitoring environmental data and controlling facilities and environments based on that data, we can provide farmers with an environment suitable for crop growth," adding, "I am trying to lead new agriculture by integrating various things I have done so far."
Kim graduated from the Youth Startup Academy operated by the Small and Medium Business Corporation. Before starting the smart farm business, he founded a company called JD Sound and developed portable electronic music production devices. He also operated a manufacturing company and exported overseas. However, he became interested in the new field of smart farms and established JD Tech in 2018, conducting business in his hometown Jeju. Last year's sales were about 800 million KRW.
Kim also opened and operates 'Farm Lab Olle,' a smart farm specialized makerspace in Jeju. He said, "Farm Lab Olle is a creative, educational, and networking space to nurture future makers who will lead the agricultural revolution," adding, "We provide free smart farm education to farmers and share know-how."
According to the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology and Jobs, the domestic smart farm market size is expected to expand from 4.4 trillion KRW in 2017 to about 6 trillion KRW in 2022.
Kim said, "Currently, we operate smart farm facilities in the form of vinyl greenhouses, but unregistered vinyl greenhouses have difficulty obtaining facility fund loans," adding, "To expand the business, we need to build smart farm facilities on newly purchased land, and if policy fund support for facility funds is provided, it will help supply more domestically grown bananas."
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