South Korean researchers have recently found ways to produce high quality strawberries by growing them in high-tech facilities... while keeping them stay fresh long enough for buyers overseas.<br />Cho Sung-min reports. <br />These greenhouses are specially designed by the Rural Development Administration to produce high quality strawberries.<br />Each of these giant containers is equipped with high-tech sensors and machines that can sense and control lighting, temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels.<br />Developers of these chambers especially highlight the heating technology, which enables the berries to grow to their fullest, even in harsh weather conditions.<br /><br />"We deliver hot water to the mainframe by letting it fill the pipes,...and that makes the whole area warm."<br /><br />They also point out that the technology allows them to save up to 30% of what they used to pay for heating costs.<br /> <br />The administration also came up with a new packing process for the strawberries.<br />Digital cameras scan each strawberry's color and shape,...and select the most optimal ones into the boxes. <br />This method has reduced more than half of labor costs previously put into pack the strawberries.<br />Developers say a small amount of carbon dioxide is injected into each package.<br />It keeps the strawberries fresh longer...making them more suitable for exports. <br /><br />"The new packaging system enables strawberries to stay fresh enough for people in other countries to enjoy them." <br /><br />The researchers are currently working on customizing the recently developed facility and technology so that they could be used for other agricultural products.<br />Cho Sung-min, Arirang News. <br />
