The harvesting of strawberries is no longer dictated by seasonal laws thanks to advances in technology that have also allowed for dramatic drops in related costs.
Cha Yun-kyung tells us how.
This is a strawberry farm in Pyeongtaek , Gyeonggi-do Province.
Farmers usually finish harvesting strawberries at the end of May, however, a strawberry harvest is in full swing here in June.
The secret is a “water-cooled air conditioning and heating system,” which makes it possible to extend the harvest season for strawberries by using awning screens and sprinklers after setting up a “water-cooled air conditioning and heating system.
“The heat island effect happens in the house. Hot air cannot move to where cold air collects, but the cold air rises as it gets hotter.”
Another benefit is that farmers can save on the huge costs of using standard air conditioning and heating.
This new system utilizes underground water, which is always around 15 degrees Celsius. Therefore, this new technology is much cheaper than the existing one which uses air or geothermal heat as a heat source.
“When the temperature drops to minus 15 degrees, we can absorb heat of up to 15 degrees. So, there is 30 degrees of deviation. In the summer, the temperature goes up to 35 degrees even though we try to keep it cool. Underground water is highly efficient with its year-round temperature of 15 degrees, making 20 degrees of deviation. ”
According to the research of Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency, the savings on costs are between 70 percent to 90 percent compared to the standard system.
Harvesting strawberries until July using the water-cooled air conditioning system is now possible.
Farmers can set up the water-cooled air conditioning facility as long as they can drill for underground water.
“The biggest problem for farmers in Korea is the high cost of air conditioning and heating in their greenhouses. We look for companies that have the technology and products which can cut costs dramatically and support them.”
The water-cooled air conditioning and heating system was developed 4 years ago and about 600 have been set up around 70 cities and counties nationwide. The number of farms using the system is expected to rise in the future, because of the dramatic cost saving.
Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.
Source : Arirang TV, https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=272839
Arirang TV(public institution's name)'s public work is used according to KOGL