Over the past five years (2020–2024), the Rural Development Administration (농촌진흥청) has transferred a total of 6,481 technologies—averaging about 1,300 cases per year—to various sectors, including manufacturing (53.9%), wholesale (15.4%), processing (10.2%), services (6.3%), livestock (5.8%), and cultivation (4.2%). This impressive volume of technology transfer underlines the government’s strong commitment to driving agricultural innovation through research and development.
A standout example is the technology developed by the National Institute of Agricultural Science, which uses LED lighting for seedling and cultivation facilities. This technology has been transferred to companies that have subsequently created a modular container vertical farm system. These systems enable the production of high-quality, uniform specialty crop seedlings—such as wasabi and other high-value crops—by integrating a conveyor belt cultivation platform, specialized LED lighting, precise temperature and humidity control, and CO₂ generation.
Modular Container Vertical Farm Systems: The Next-Generation Solution
At NextGreen, a leading firm in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, the modular container vertical farm system has attracted significant attention. Supported by public R&D commercialization initiatives from the Korea Agricultural Technology Promotion Agency (2023), NextGreen has not only enhanced its in-house technological capabilities but also successfully supplied premium specialty crop seedlings to the market.
Key components of these systems include:
- Conveyor Belt Cultivation Platforms: Designed for efficient seedling growth and handling.
- Optimized LED Lighting: Tailored to the needs of young plants to ensure uniform and rapid development.
- Advanced HVAC and CO₂ Systems: Maintaining ideal growing conditions by precisely controlling temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels.
- Cloud-Based Precision Control: Integrating video monitoring systems to collect big data on plant growth, enabling fine-tuned adjustments and consistent high yields.
These integrated features contribute to a robust business model that not only aids in resolving cultivation challenges faced by traditional farmers but also ensures a stable income through consistent, high-quality production.
External Data and Global Perspectives
Globally, vertical farming is gaining momentum as a sustainable solution for modern agriculture. According to recent reports, the global vertical farming market is projected to grow significantly—reaching over US$12 billion by the mid-2020s. Similar innovations are emerging worldwide, demonstrating that controlled-environment agriculture can drastically reduce water usage by up to 90% and increase yield per square meter by several folds compared to traditional methods.
This international trend reinforces the value of modular vertical farm systems in Korea, where government support and technology transfer initiatives are rapidly modernizing specialty crop production. By merging the precision of digital farming with the sustainability goals of eco-friendly agriculture, these systems provide a promising avenue for both rural development and urban agriculture.
Modular vertical farm systems for specialty crop seedlings are not just an innovative concept—they are a practical, sustainable solution poised to reshape agriculture. By harnessing advanced LED lighting, precision climate control, and digital monitoring, these systems ensure high-quality, uniform seedlings that meet the demands of modern markets. The proactive technology transfers by Korea’s Rural Development Administration and the collaborative efforts between public institutions and private companies signal a bright future for sustainable, high-value agricultural production.
