That same sense of care and community extends to the fields. Rice farming has long been the backbone of rural life and community. For generations, rice cultivation was a collective effort, supported by traditional systems of mutual aid such as dure (두레) and pumasi (품앗이), where neighbors helped each other sow, transplant, and harvest crops. These practices reflect the deep-rooted values of cooperation and shared responsibility in Korean farming culture.
In the modern era, rice transplanting has evolved with the introduction of mechanized solutions that help reduce labor and improve yield. Korea’s first domestically produced rice transplanters, introduced in the 1960s, helped boost food production and national self-sufficiency. Today, smart and autonomous machines continue that legacy, bringing precision and efficiency to tradition.

A shared mission, one field at a time
Since 2023, we at TYM have upheld the spirit of collaboration by donating rice harvested from employee-run plots. What began as a symbolic gesture of community engagement has grown into an annual event, where staff across departments participate in the full cycle of rice production—from planting to harvest—on TYM-owned land.
In 2025, the tradition continues with the transplanting of rice seedlings using the ISEKI PRJ83DL, an autonomous rice transplanter recognized for its precision, stability, and smart guidance systems. With minimal manpower, the PRJ83DL enables high-efficiency transplanting—up to eight rows of seedlings at once—even in small or irregularly shaped fields.
As TYM’s Chief Product Officer Sung-woo Lee put it, “From Korea’s first autonomous models like the RGO-690 to the imported ISEKI PRJ series we use today, rice transplanting has truly entered the era of one-person operation. But at its core, agriculture has always been about sharing and community. We carry that spirit forward by cultivating even the smallest available plots and donating the harvest with joy.”

A tradition of trust, a vision for tomorrow
At the heart of TYM’s mission is the belief that agricultural innovation must serve people first—especially those who dedicate their lives to farming. That belief is echoed by long-time customer Kyung-Yong Shim, a lifelong farmer based in Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea, who cultivates garlic and raises Hanwoo cattle on nearly 100,000 m² of land. "I first used a TYM tractor back in the 1970s, and I’ve owned more than 10 TYM machines since,” Shim shares. “From two-row transplanters to combines and tractors, nearly all of my work has been powered by TYM. Around here, we say, ‘If it’s TYM, you can trust it.’”
That trust also extends to the next generation. In March, TYM donated its RGO-690 autonomous rice transplanter to Seogwipo Industrial Science High School in Jeju. The donation supports both agricultural education and community development, enabling students to gain hands-on training in smart farming technology while reviving rice cultivation on Jeju Island. The crops harvested from the school’s practice fields are used in local revenue programs, ensuring that TYM’s gift continues to give back.

Planting seeds of sustainability
TYM’s initiative is about more than just rice. It’s about cultivating a culture of giving, sustainability, and social responsibility. By engaging employees in hands-on farming and donating the results to neighbors in need, we reaffirm our belief that technology should serve the larger community.
Every bag of rice donated is a testament to how innovation and community spirit can coexist and thrive side by side. With each planting season, TYM continues to foster a culture of giving that’s rooted in Korea’s agricultural heritage and powered by modern technology.
To learn more about TYM rice transplanters, visit our website or get in touch with a TYM dealer near you. For information on our community and ESG initiatives, visit our corporate site at group.tym.world.