Professor Lim Young-seok from the College of Natural Sciences at Kangwon National University conducted a training session on April 30 for local farmers at the Temporary Startup Support Center in Gurye-gun, South Jeolla Province. The program, titled “Training on Mechanized Spring Potato Cultivation Technology,” focused on the “Tongil” (Unified) potato variety, which has been gaining popularity in recent years. The practical, industry-wide curriculum covered climate-adaptive cultivation techniques, seed potato management, storage and distribution methods, mechanized farming practices, and high-income generation strategies. Special emphasis was placed on mechanization to reduce labor demands and increase productivity in field conditions.
Farmers were also introduced to value-added processing opportunities, including contract farming for potato chips, potato bread, and other processed products. Professor Lim emphasized that potato farming is an interconnected industry encompassing seeds, cultivation, storage, and distribution. He noted that the Unified potato variety demonstrates excellent adaptability to high temperatures, making it a promising alternative for southern regions facing climate change challenges. “Expanding mechanized cultivation is important to address rural labor shortages,” he stated, “but above all, stable management of a high-quality seed potato production system is the key to competitiveness in the potato industry.”
