Gyeongbuk Sangju Berry Farms Transform into 'Smart Farms'... 20% Labor Reduction

'Application of ICT Technology' Enables Remote and Scientific Management... 'Introduction of New Varieties' Increases Fruit Hardness, Sugar Content, and Size

Sangju City Blueberry.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Dong-wook] The berry-producing farms in Sangju, boasting the largest production of berries (mulberry, bokbunja, blueberry) in Gyeongsangbuk-do, have been reborn as smart farms applying ICT (Information and Communication Technology).

The Sangju Agricultural Technology Center (Director Son Sang-don) announced on the 13th that it significantly strengthened the external competitiveness of berry farms by utilizing provincial funds secured through this year's Regional Vitalization Foundation Project.

First, to realize smart farms for blueberry farms, ICT technology was applied to enable remote and scientific management, reducing labor by 20%. At the same time, a new variety of the Southern Highbush system was introduced to increase the hardness, sugar content, and size of the fruit. According to the Sangju Agricultural Technology Center, these efforts reduced damage from the rainy season and typhoons, activated parcel delivery transactions, and expanded business partners.

During the rainy season, the soil surface near the ground often dries due to the hot sun, while the underground moisture content is saturated. Portable soil moisture and salinity meters were distributed to elderly bokbunja farmers to improve moisture management. As a result, the mortality rate of 3-5 year-old plants decreased by 40%, and fungal diseases such as anthracnose and gray mold were reduced.

In the case of mulberries, sales were limited due to high moisture content, but by developing four processed products (jam, rice cake, frozen mulberry pack, freeze-dried mulberry) and improving packaging materials and methods, internet and parcel sales increased.

Currently, the annual production of berries (mulberry, bokbunja, blueberry) in Sangju is 260 tons, ranking first in Gyeongsangbuk-do. They supply to Garak-dong Agricultural and Marine Products Wholesale Market and Bohae Bokbunja Co., Ltd. In addition, to respond to imported berries, the 'Sangju Berry Festival' is held annually, selling more than 10 tons of fresh fruit on-site and expanding major business partners, which has greatly increased the income of 320 farms.

Choi Nak-du, Head of Technology Extension, emphasized, "We will contribute to increasing farm income by continuously improving the quality of berries, strengthening the competitiveness of agricultural products in the Sangju region, and focusing on disseminating labor-saving and pest and disease control technologies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.