Vice Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour Al Mushaiti and Korea's Vice Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Park Beom-su initiated a smart agriculture complex in Riyadh. This project aims to boost agricultural output, enhance resource efficiency, and foster smart farming collaboration. Al Mushaiti highlighted the project's significance as a pivotal step in modern agriculture's evolution.
The initiative is a collaborative effort to drive innovation in agriculture, contributing to food security and sustainable development across the Middle East. It reflects Korea's technological prowess in agriculture by integrating cutting-edge AI technologies, the Internet of Things, and vertical farming to tackle current agricultural challenges effectively.
Located at the National Agricultural and Animal Resources Research Center, the project spans 4,000 square meters. It includes a vertical farm for leafy greens, strawberries, and mushrooms using advanced container farming techniques. A greenhouse equipped with Korean agricultural technologies also forms part of the complex.
This greenhouse technology helps reduce water usage, optimize fertilizer application, and boost production levels. The project employs AI systems for water regulation, data collection, and analysis to recommend suitable crops for vertical farming systems. Additionally, it features a mobile farming system that more than doubles production compared to traditional greenhouses.
AI-powered agricultural robots play a crucial role in data collection and analysis within this project. These robots streamline agricultural services and expedite harvesting processes. The integration of AI ensures efficient management of resources while enhancing crop quality and productivity.
Al Mushaiti emphasized that this Saudi-Korean collaboration showcases Korea's significant advancements in agricultural technology. By combining AI with IoT and vertical farming methods, the project aims to improve productivity and crop quality significantly. This will have a positive impact on both farmers' livelihoods and consumer experiences.
The smart agriculture complex represents a new era for modern agriculture through its innovative approach. By leveraging advanced technologies, it addresses contemporary challenges while promoting sustainable practices in the region.
Source: One Arabia