Evaluating agricultural machinery to a sustainable path: an interview with Han Tae-ho

As several sectors of the industry share responsibility to reduce carbon emissions, the agricultural sector also aims to reduce its carbon footprint. For such reduction to be made, a significant shift in the technology used must come first. In Korea, the public institution of Agricultural Technology Promotion Agency plays a key role in assessing agricultural machinery. Through this interview, Han Tae-ho, as the leader of his team in the agency, discussed ways agriculture can be more sustainable, the challenges that lie ahead, as well as the long-term implication of agricultural machinery automation.

Could you please introduce your current job at the Korea Institute of Agricultural Technology Promotion?

My job involves testing and evaluating agricultural machinery distributed across Korea to determine how safe it is and whether its performance meets the standards set by the government. We use established testing methods to assess these aspects and ensure that the agricultural machinery managed by the government is distributed safely within the country. Currently, there are about 44 types of agricultural machinery designated by the government, including tractors, combines, and transplanters. These agricultural machines cannot be sold simply after manufacturing, because current laws require obtaining our certification from the government before they can be sold. 

I heard that eco-friendly agricultural machinery like electric tractors and battery-powered farm equipment has recently been increasing. When inspecting such equipment, what aspects do you particularly focus on?

Electric tractors offer advantages over conventional internal combustion engine tractors, such as reduced environmental pollution and a more pleasant operating environment for the user. However, they also present two potential hazards compared to traditional tractors. The first is the battery. Most use lead-acid batteries, which are like the starter batteries in regular cars that usually do not cause any problems. But for subscription-based use, the battery capacity needs to be larger. This often leads to using lithium-ion batteries, which are slightly unstable and prone to fire. These batteries can catch fire during charging or while in use.

You see news reports about cars catching fire, right? Like electric vehicles, batteries used in agricultural machinery can also create conditions where fires might occur during use. This is why testing how safe they are in such conditions is becoming increasingly important.

Second, since they use electricity, they operate at high voltages. For example, while conventional batteries are often 12 or 24 volts, these high-voltage batteries, like lithium-ion ones, can operate at voltages ranging from as low as 72 volts up to as high as 1,000 volts. That's an extremely high voltage. Therefore, if a user is electrocuted, it could be fatal. Verifying how well the insulation is designed and ensuring the product is manufactured safely enough to prevent electrocution is now the most critical aspect. So, we plan to focus on verifying these two core points for electric air compressors.

Do you believe the spread of eco-friendly agricultural machinery makes a significant contribution to more sustainable agriculture?

I definitely think so. Ultimately, when we look at the aspects frequently discussed in sustainable agriculture practices or sustainable management—that we must preserve and maintain the environment of this Earth we live on through greenhouse gas reduction—agriculture simply cannot be excluded from that.

Of course, this applies to automobiles and all industrial sectors. Preserving the Earth's environment and passing on a pleasant, safe ecosystem to future generations is a task for those living in the modern era. I believe agriculture cannot be excluded from this responsibility. Agriculture, too, plays a crucial role in creating a sustainable global environment and reducing greenhouse gases. It can be electrified to make it more comfortable for users and to pass on a better environment to future generations.

From a farmer's perspective, if they use eco-friendly or low-carbon agricultural machinery, besides the benefits for carbon reduction and the environment, are there advantages they can personally feel, like fuel cost savings or improved working conditions?

Yes, that's right. After all, the unit cost of energy is still somewhat cheaper for electricity than for oil. Consider cars. Some people use conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, while others use electric vehicles. Currently, those using electric vehicles can operate their cars at a significantly lower cost, right? Of course, if electricity prices rise, that cost gap will narrow considerably. But for now, because electricity is still relatively inexpensive, using electric agricultural machinery offers some economic advantages over oil-powered machinery.

The second advantage is the ability to work in a comfortable environment. Internal combustion engines produce exhaust fumes during operation, which may risk farmers to inhale these toxic fumes while working. Moreover, farming isn't limited to outdoor work, as it can also be done indoors in greenhouses. In such enclosed spaces, it becomes riskier to exhaust fumes. Electric farm machinery eliminates this issue entirely. Since it produces no exhaust, farmers can work safely and comfortably in an environment free from fumes. These are the two main advantages from the user's perspective.

However, as you mentioned earlier, there are hesitations like fire risks. Beyond safety concerns like fires, what is the major burden farmers feel when considering the adoption of eco-friendly agricultural machinery?

The initial investment cost. Just like with cars, everything farmers or users perceive has parallels with automobiles. Take internal combustion engine cars, for example. If a car that costs around 30 million won were developed as an electric vehicle, the price would increase by about 15 million won. This is due to battery costs. Compared to battery prices ten years ago, current prices are only about 10% of what they were back then. So the price has dropped to one-tenth. Compared to ten years ago, battery prices have fallen significantly, yet they're still higher than those for regular cars.

Agricultural machinery faces the same issue. Because batteries are so expensive, farmers face a significant cost burden when initially purchasing farm equipment, having to pay a higher price upfront. But if the operating environment is significantly more comfortable and pleasant, they might as well bear that cost and use it. That decision ultimately depends on the consumer.

Looking ahead, to increase the adoption of eco-friendly agricultural machinery, what additional policy support beyond the existing safety inspection systems do you feel is necessary?

Since the initial investment cost for farmers purchasing these machines is quite high, government support in this area would be beneficial. The government could provide support measures like loans or subsidies when farmers make purchases. If such policies were implemented, farmers could use agricultural machinery with less financial burden. Also, since developing electric agricultural machinery presents challenges, manufacturers need support for facilities, environmental aspects, and other development costs. Unlike cars, charging infrastructure isn't readily available on farms. If charging is needed during use, providing facilities like fast-charging stations that are appropriately distributed within the farm environment would be a significant plus factor in further activating electric agricultural machinery.

Finally, looking ahead 5-10 years, what direction do you anticipate agricultural machinery technology and certification systems will take? How do you think they can contribute to a more sustainable world?

Now, it's not just about electrification, but automation is advancing alongside it. AI and robotics are being heavily integrated into agricultural machinery, so within about five years, the internal combustion engines that are currently being validated will likely be significantly reduced over time. Evaluations will primarily focus on how safely software, robots, or automated devices operate without human intervention, so the farming environment will probably change accordingly. 

Farmers will increasingly monitor their operations remotely, ensuring everything runs smoothly while machines autonomously carry out the actual work. I believe this world will arrive in the not-too-distant future. As a result, certification systems and legal frameworks will need to undergo significant changes.

Why? Because when a machine makes its own judgments and performs tasks independently, the question of responsibility shifts. Today, if a driver causes an accident, the driver is held responsible—that’s clear. But when a robot operates autonomously without a human onboard and an accident occurs, it no longer makes sense for responsibility to rest solely with the user. In such cases, the robot itself should bear some degree of responsibility.

To resolve these legal issues, the government will likely be very busy working to address them within the next five years. By ten years from now, I believe most of these issues will be resolved. We'll see robots performing many tasks, and manufacturers or verification agencies like ours will bear a certain portion of the burden. I think the world will shift significantly in that direction. Therefore, these functions will become increasingly important. We are looking at these testing and evaluation functions in that light.