Gyeongsangbuk-do to Develop Smart Farm Project 4 Meters Underground

Key Takeaways

Gyeongsangbuk-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services has partnered with the Pohang Institute of Industrial Science and Technology to develop underground smart farm technology.
The farms will utilize POSCO’s corrosion-resistant PosMac waveform steel pipes, allowing year-round temperature maintenance at around 15 degrees Celsius.
Future plans include expanding into overseas markets, particularly in regions with extreme climates like the Middle East and Mongolia.

Innovative Underground Farming Initiative

Gyeongsangbuk-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services has announced a significant partnership with the Pohang Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (RIST) to advance underground smart farm technology. The agreement, signed on January 22, aims to develop and commercialize high-tech agricultural production facilities that operate independently from external environmental conditions and energy costs.

The underground smart farms will be situated 4 meters below ground, leveraging POSCO’s innovative PosMac waveform steel pipes, which provide exceptional corrosion resistance and structural stability. These circular tubes are designed to maintain a constant temperature of approximately 15 degrees Celsius year-round, significantly lowering energy expenses for heating and cooling.

RIST is set to invest 900 million won by December 2027, focusing on joint research and empirical testing for this project. It will lead the development of standardized underground smart farm models and environmental forecasting systems, while Gyeongsangbuk-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services will create a technology manual for cultivating high-value crops like strawberries and mushrooms in the underground setting.

The collaboration aims not only to establish an operational underground smart farm model but also to secure data for constructing a large prototype complex in the future. This initiative is expected to generate fresh demand for POSMac products in various markets. Plans are underway to explore international opportunities, particularly in extreme climates such as the deserts of the Middle East and the cold regions of Mongolia.

Cho Young-sook, head of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services, emphasized that this agreement represents a pivotal moment for integrating agricultural technology, new material engineering, and on-site construction capabilities. The objective is to create a successful underground smart farm business model that positions stakeholders ahead in the global smart farm industry while simultaneously enhancing agricultural income.

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