The protected agriculture industry is increasingly embracing automation and advanced technology. South Korean greenhouse tomato grower Woo Ram Lee is planning strategic moves to bring the future of farming back home. Currently visiting the Netherlands, Woo Ram is attending both the TTA x ISO & Artechno Tomato Technology Event and Greentech Amsterdam, where he hopes to discover the partners and tools necessary to scale his operations.
"This trip is about adding value to the future of tomato farming in Korea," he explains. "I'm here to find partners who share that vision."
A market with potential, but lacking expertise
South Korea has made notable efforts to support the greenhouse farming sector, including generous government subsidies for greenhouse construction. But according to Woo, that support has come with an unintended consequence: an oversaturated market of underqualified contractors.
"In South Korea, the government sponsors hundreds of greenhouse builders; we are talking more than 500, but many of them are amateurs," he says. "They don't offer the level of engineering or integration that Dutch companies, for example, are known for."
© Eelkje Pulley | HortiDaily.com
Woo Ram Lee, South Korean tomato grower at the TTA x ISO & Artechno Tomato Event on Friday, 6 June
Scaling up: A vision for commercial expansion
Woo's company is planning to scale its greenhouse operations significantly, building multiple large-scale sites across South Korea. But growth at this level requires the right technology, systems, and partners.
"If we want to grow big, we need scalable systems that work from day one," he explains. "This includes everything from greenhouse construction to fully automated climate and crop management."
Addressing labour challenges with automation
One of the main driving forces behind their search for advanced solutions is the growing labour crisis in South Korea. Rising wages, high turnover, and the ongoing challenge of training seasonal workers have made automation not just attractive, but essential.
"Labour costs keep rising," he says. "It's expensive to hire, train, and retain good workers, especially when they are seasonal. Automation is the only sustainable answer."
He is particularly interested in technologies that can automate plant handling, harvesting, climate control, and irrigation.
As Woo meets potential collaborators at the respective horticulture events in the Netherlands, he remains optimistic. "South Korea is ready," he says confidently. "We just need the right partners to build it with."
For more information:
Woo Ram Lee
woolarar@gmail.com