Applying lighting technology to increase crop productivity

Many gardeners in Binh Thuan province use LED lights to grow dragon fruit.

However, many families have not dared to make the switch. It was not until scientists released experimental results showing that using Compact lamps to light dragon fruit trees was more effective than incandescent lamps that many farmers began to make a strong switch.

Reduce emissions, increase profits

Around 2018, the 9W LED bulb was born, saving 50% more electricity than the Compact bulb. At that time, the 9W LED bulb was recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment ) as a technical advance in the field of cultivation in Decision No. 150/QD-TT-CCN dated August 4, 2020. It is worth noting that the LED bulb is not a conventional lighting product but is researched and manufactured by Rang Dong Light Bulb and Thermos Joint Stock Company to serve agricultural production.

Recently, the Farmers' Association of Binh Thuan province cooperated with Rang Dong Light Bulb and Thermos Joint Stock Company to implement a model of testing specialized 5W LED lights to stimulate dragon fruit trees to flower. The Association deployed 20 models in the off-season (off-season, dragon fruit trees mainly bear fruit thanks to lighting) with the results that 5W LED lights (red light) connected in a 2m/bulb pattern, with a density of 1,785 bulbs/ha, were able to stimulate dragon fruit flowering similar to 9W LED lights (yellow light) connected 1.5m/bulb, with a density of 2,380 bulbs/ha. Thereby, 5W LED lights (red light) save 48% of electricity costs compared to 9W LED lights, reducing 10.25% of total production costs.

While harvesting dragon fruit, Mr. Tran Dinh Trung, Director of Thuan Tien Dragon Fruit Cooperative (Ham Thuan Bac district, Binh Thuan province) happily told us: After using the 5W LED bulb system instead of the 9W LED lighting, the power consumption for each hectare of dragon fruit cultivation has decreased significantly, the yield and quality of the fruit have increased, and the profit has also increased by 200-300 VND/kg. Currently, Thuan Tien Dragon Fruit Cooperative has 10 members with 20 hectares of dragon fruit cultivation, each hectare harvests an average of 15 tons.

Continued research on energy-saving lamps

Deputy Director of Rang Dong Light Source and Vacuum Flask Joint Stock Company, Dong Nai branch (in charge of Binh Thuan province), saving electricity means reducing emissions from power plants, contributing to responding to climate change. The company is also implementing a "green production" strategy with the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 and aiming for zero net emissions by 2050. LED lights have a long life, so they reduce the number of bulbs that need to be produced, transported and disposed of, thereby reducing electronic waste pollution.

Currently, the company is continuing to research specialized lighting, instead of lighting dragon fruit for 8 hours, it only lights for 5 hours with higher efficiency, integrating smart lighting technology. In addition, the lights do not emit ultraviolet rays (UV), do not harm beneficial insects, garden ecosystems and humans. The company will expand cooperation models with localities and organizations to replicate this effective lighting solution nationwide. "In the future, Rang Dong LED lights will become an indispensable part of Vietnam's high-tech agriculture, contributing to improving productivity, quality and value of agricultural products, while moving towards a green and sustainable agriculture", Mr. Dang Ngoc Anh shared.

According to statistics from Binh Thuan Province Electricity Company, up to now, 100% of the dragon fruit area in the province has applied off-season flowering treatment and used all energy-saving light bulbs. Through calculations, using 20W compact lamps and 9W LED lamps for the entire dragon fruit area in the province instead of using 60W incandescent lamps as before will save about 837 million kWh of electricity each year, equivalent to 1,354 billion VND/year, the investment cost is estimated to reduce by more than 1,000 billion VND. In addition to lighting dragon fruit trees, LED lights are also applied in the field of offshore fishing (LED light helps attract fish, squid...) to help increase fishing output, while saving fuel for generators on ships.

Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Binh Thuan province, Phan Van Tan, said: Recently, scientists have collaborated with many farmers to conduct scientific and technical research on dragon fruit. LED lights used to illuminate dragon fruit have wavelengths similar to natural light, helping to stimulate plant growth and development, while providing productivity and quality, meeting the requirements of modern and sustainable agricultural production. In addition, the use of LED lights for dragon fruit has contributed to reducing emissions from electricity use, protecting the environment, sustainable production, while enhancing the value and saving national energy resources.

In the coming time, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Binh Thuan province will continue to coordinate with units to strengthen information and propaganda on the role and benefits of applying digital technology in management, production and consumption of agricultural products. From there, businesses, cooperatives and especially farmers will understand the role and importance of applying digital technology in production; contributing to the orientation of developing high-tech agriculture in a smart direction, focusing on traceability, increasing the proportion of agriculture in the economy.

According to THANH HAI - NHAT MINH/Nhan Dan Newspaper

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