P200-M smart greenhouse to boost production of high-value crops

AGRICULTURE Secretary William Dar led the blessing and inauguration of the Smart Greenhouse and Capability Building at the Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (DA-WESVIARC) in Jaro, Iloilo City last March 31, 2022.

The nine units of information technology-based or smart greenhouses are funded by the Republic of Korea through its Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) in the amount of P200 million.

It is fully managed by the Korean Agency of Education, Promotion, and Information Service in Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (EPIS) and implemented by the Hankyong National University.

“This project can help us a lot so that we can have more production concerning vegetables and fruits using this facility,” Dar said during the press conference.

This Korean-style smart greenhouse project is a climate-proof greenhouse technology, mechanized and automated.

It aims to enhance the product competitiveness of small and mid-sized farmers by establishing smart greenhouses with technologies for value-added agri-products.

Meanwhile, according to DA-6 regional director Remelyn Recoter, the project is more in training activities and an opportunity also to encourage entrepreneurs, progressive and individual farmers, and even those who are non-farmers to invest.

“In terms of high value vegetable kulang gid kita sa Western Visayas. This is an opportunity nga maengganyo ang mga farmers and those who want to invest,” said Recoter.

Recover added that there are more incoming greenhouses that will be funded by KOICA and will be constructed in provinces, especially in tourist areas.

Meanwhile, the smart greenhouse offers Philippines agriculture a possible solution to the country’s climate change concerns.

It will also showcase Good Agricultural Practices and organic crop production technologies which can address the food safety requirements of the country.

The food is a food self-sufficiency measure; it can produce crops off-season and almost all year round.

The project is also proof of the lasting friendship between the Philippine and Korean governments.

Joining Dar during the inauguration were Recoter, EPIS (MAFRA) President Dr. Lee Jong-soon, Project Associate Expert in Performance Management -Hankyong University, and other officials./PN