Yeoju City Accelerates Smart Agriculture with Distribution of Autonomous Driving Assistance Devices

Pilot Project for Precision Paddy Field Work Driving Assistance Devices Launched
Reducing Labor and Boosting Productivity Expected

Yeoju City, Gyeonggi Province, announced on the 12th that it will launch the ‘Pilot Project for the Distribution of Precision Paddy Field Work Driving Assistance Devices’ in 2026 to strengthen the competitiveness of rice farming households struggling with aging and labor shortages.

This project aims to establish a foundation for smart agriculture by distributing autonomous driving technology for agricultural machinery to the field, thereby increasing the precision of farming operations, reducing labor requirements for farmers, and improving productivity.

The core of the project, the autonomous driving assistance device for rice transplanters and tractors, is equipment that can be attached and detached from existing rice transplanters and tractors, making it possible to achieve precise straight driving and automatic steering functions.

Analysis of farmers participating in the pilot project showed that work fatigue decreased by approximately 60%, and work time was reduced by more than 30%.

Jeong Geonsu, Director of the Agricultural Technology Center, stated, “The distribution of autonomous driving technology will not only reduce labor, but also contribute to improving the quality and productivity of Yeoju rice. We will continue to actively introduce smart agricultural technologies to address rural labor shortages and secure the future competitiveness of Yeoju agriculture.”