Introduction of Kim Jongja Smart Cultivation Device, World’s First 3-Crop Seaweed Farming Possible

Stable Production and Supply of AI-Based 'High-Quality Seeds' Without Impact from Monsoon or Abnormal Temperatures

Exterior view of the traditional spore cultivation and seedling Gim cultivation site / ⓒ Asia Economy

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] AI-based Gim seed 'smart cultivation device' technology has been developed, enabling three-crop Gim farming regardless of natural environmental factors such as heavy rain and high water temperature, producing high-quality superior Gim seeds.

According to the fisheries industry on the 25th, the smart cultivation device for improving Gim seeds is highly evaluated for its potential to increase the productivity of Gim, one of Korea's major export items, and contribute to increasing fishermen's income.

The smart cultivation device developed by Daeyang SC Co., Ltd. for producing superior Gim seeds provides the optimal growth environment necessary for cultivation without being affected by weather conditions such as monsoons and abnormal temperatures, enabling the production and supply of high-quality seeds.

In particular, by controlling water temperature and light intensity, it is possible to freely suppress or promote maturation, allowing the production of superior Gim seeds at any desired time throughout the year, which is expected to significantly increase fishermen's income.

Additionally, it can prepare for natural disasters, and through AI-based monitoring of Gim seed growth status, it enables disease prevention and rapid treatment.

The smart cultivation device can be stacked in multiple layers, maximizing efficiency in a small area. While the traditional Gim seed cultivation method produced seeds once a year, the introduction of the smart cultivation device allows production and supply of Gim seeds in April, when seed supply was difficult, making it the world's first three-crop Gim farming possible.

By switching cultivation management, which was previously done manually, to a smart method, management becomes convenient and labor costs can be reduced, leading to increased Gim harvest and quality improvement for fishermen, and thus an expansion in export volume is expected.

According to data from the National Institute of Fisheries Science and Statistics Korea, the current scale of Gim production in Korea is about 4 trillion won, and Daeyang SC Co., Ltd. expects the overall Gim farming industry to expand to the 5 trillion won level with the introduction of the smart cultivation device.

With the high seedling success rate of the smart cultivation device, Gim productivity is expected to improve by about 20% (200 billion won) or more, and the stabilization of Gim supply is anticipated to greatly contribute to achieving the government's export target of 1 billion dollars by 2024.

Recently, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries plans to conduct annual research on superior Gim seed test seeding and farming, optimal cultivation conditions according to seed growth (automation application), three-crop testing, and customized technical support by Gim farming license area.

Accordingly, Daeyang SC Co., Ltd. currently holds related patents such as spore seedling cultivation nets and multi-layer spore seedling cultivation devices related to the smart cultivation device and is actively promoting commercialization.

CEO Lee Seung-hwan of Daeyang SC is explaining the seed culture net / Photo by Asia Economy

Lee Seung-hwan, CEO of Daeyang SC Co., Ltd., said, "The future of the Gim industry ultimately depends on the production and distribution of superior seeds," adding, "I am confident that the introduction of low-cost, high-efficiency smart cultivation devices will bring revolutionary changes and development to the domestic Gim farming industry."

He said, "I have been dedicated to developing superior Gim seeds for over five years," emphasizing, "We must actively introduce smart cultivation technology that can stably supply high-quality superior Gim seeds without being affected by natural environments."

He continued, "It is time for fisheries-related institutions to take an interest in the distribution of superior seeds," explaining, "Through this, we should aim for increased Gim harvest, securing competitiveness, productivity improvement, export expansion, and stable fishermen's income."

Daeyang SC Co., Ltd. recently proposed the Gim seed smart cultivation device in the commercialization category of the '2020 Marine and Fisheries Startup Contest' held by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to discover startup ideas and support early-stage business commercialization, winning the grand prize (Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Award with a prize of 10 million won).

With this award, they will receive various benefits such as additional points for KIMST marine and fisheries startup investment support projects and marine industry demand-based technology development projects, startup consulting support, preferential loan guarantee products from the Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries Credit Guarantee Fund, and investment linkage with marine and fisheries funds.

Meanwhile, Daeyang SC Co., Ltd. is actively advancing commercialization by signing business agreements with Mokpo National University, Chodang University Industry-Academic Cooperation, Jeonnam Intellectual Property Center, and Shinan-gun Leading Fishing Village Association, and is building an export base through preliminary purchase intention agreements with Chinese Gim farming companies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.