The Rural Development Administration (RDA) of Korea has introduced a dynamic supplemental lighting system to address the challenges faced by strawberry greenhouse farmers due to insufficient sunlight. Recent abnormal weather patterns have led to increased cloudy and rainy days, reducing natural light in greenhouses and delaying strawberry harvests. This delay can negatively impact both market supply and farmers’ incomes. The new system was developed to automatically compensate for low light conditions, ensuring stable production.
The main beneficiaries of this policy are strawberry greenhouse farmers, particularly those in regions prone to low sunlight during critical growth periods. The system uses real-time sensors to monitor light intensity and activates LED lights only when natural light falls below the target level necessary for strawberry growth. In field trials, the system increased daily light levels by 45% and total light received by 44% compared to control areas, resulting in earlier flowering and harvests. Notably, strawberry yields rose by 23% and early market prices were 11% higher.
Implementation began with field trials at the Nonsan Agricultural Technology Center from September 2023 to January 2024, focusing on the ‘Seolhyang’ strawberry variety. During December 2023, Nonsan experienced 21 cloudy days, with 14 days of critically low light. The system maintained optimal light conditions, leading to the first harvest 16 days earlier than in control plots. In 2024, the RDA plans to install the system at 20 sites nationwide as part of a new technology demonstration project, with ongoing field validation and technology refinement.
Frequently asked questions include: How does the system save energy? The LED lights operate only when natural sunlight is insufficient, reducing unnecessary energy use. What are the economic benefits for farmers? The system enables earlier harvests during periods of higher market prices and increases total yield, directly boosting income. Is the technology patented? Yes, the RDA has filed a patent for the greenhouse lighting control device and its operation method (10-2023-0183616).
Metaqsol opinion: The dynamic supplemental lighting system is a timely and effective response to the increasing frequency of low sunlight conditions in Korea’s strawberry greenhouses. The field trial data shows substantial improvements in both yield and income, validating the system’s potential to stabilize production and support farmer livelihoods. The RDA’s commitment to national rollout and ongoing refinement based on field feedback is likely to enhance the resilience and competitiveness of Korea’s greenhouse agriculture sector.