The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced the development of ‘smart farm’ technology, which equips existing dairy farms with information and communications technology (ICT). (Image : Yonhap)
SEJONG, March 29 (Korea Bizwire) – The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced the development of ‘smart farm’ technology, which equips existing dairy farms with information and communications technology (ICT).
Equipment that helps enhance productivity in breeding farm animals, such as robot milking machines, automatic calf feeders, and self-regulation cattle bowls will be provided so that farms can become ‘smarter’.
When a cow enters the milking machines, a computer controls robot arms and the milking equipment so that the right amount can be milked from the cows. Automatic calf feeders provide milk to calves based on data related to their size.
Systems that allow farmers to maintain their barns remotely were also developed. The temperature, humidity, and ventilation status of a barn can be controlled from afar, so that animals can live in a pleasant environment. The system also allows farmers to spot abnormal conditions quickly.
The automatic system analyzes information on animal growth and the barn environment. Once the big data generated is analyzed comprehensively, the amount of food and manpower needed to raise the animals can be minimized, and diseases can be prevented at the same time.
As the ‘smart farm’ system can also be adopted in the overall management of farms, farmers can run their farms more efficiently based on science and data. This way, productivity can improve, and farmers can have a better quality of life.
The ministry plans to investigate demand for the system over the next month. After consulting with farms on the support they will receive during the month of May, ‘smart farm’ systems will be officially provided to farms starting in June. The ministry is expected to provide farmers with 100 million won in equipment per 50 animals.
By M.H.Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
