Applying lighting technology to increase crop productivity.

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

However, many families were hesitant to switch until scientists presented experimental results showing that using compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) for dragon fruit cultivation was more effective than incandescent bulbs. Only then did many farmers begin to make the switch significantly.

Reduce emissions, increase profits.

Around 2018, the 9W LED bulb was introduced, saving over 50% more electricity than compact fluorescent bulbs. At that time, the 9W LED bulb was recognized as a technical advancement in the field of crop cultivation by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment ) in Decision No. 150/QD-TT-CCN dated August 4, 2020. It is noteworthy that the LED bulb is not a typical lighting product but was researched and manufactured by Rang Dong Light Bulb and Thermos Flask Joint Stock Company specifically for agricultural production.

Recently, the Binh Thuan Provincial Farmers' Association, in collaboration with Rang Dong Light Bulb and Thermos Flask Joint Stock Company, implemented a pilot project using specialized 5W LED lights to stimulate dragon fruit flowering. The association conducted 20 pilot projects during the off-season (when dragon fruit trees primarily produce fruit through artificial lighting). The results showed that 5W LED lights (red light) installed at a spacing of 2m/light, with a density of 1,785 lights/ha, were able to stimulate dragon fruit flowering as effectively as 9W LED lights (yellow light) installed at a spacing of 1.5m/light, with a density of 2,380 lights/ha. Furthermore, the 5W LED lights (red light) saved 48% on electricity costs compared to 9W LED lights, reducing total production costs by 10.25%.

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 replacing the 9W LED lights with 5W LED lights, the electricity consumption per hectare of dragon fruit cultivation has decreased significantly, yield and quality have increased, and profits have also risen by 200-300 VND/kg. Currently, Thuan Tien Dragon Fruit Cooperative has 10 members with 20 hectares of dragon fruit cultivation, averaging 15 tons per hectare.

Continue research on energy-saving lights.

According to the Deputy Director of Rang Dong Light Bulb and Thermos Flask Joint Stock Company's Dong Nai branch (responsible for Binh Thuan province), saving electricity means reducing emissions from power plants, contributing to climate change mitigation. The company is also implementing a "green production" strategy with the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 and aiming for net zero emissions by 2050. LED lights have a long lifespan, thus reducing the number of bulbs that need to be produced, transported, and disposed of, thereby reducing electronic waste pollution.

Currently, the company is continuing its research on specialized lighting, reducing the 8-hour lighting period for dragon fruit plants to just 5 hours with higher efficiency, integrating smart lighting technologies. Furthermore, the lights do not emit ultraviolet (UV) rays, causing no harm to beneficial insects, the orchard ecosystem, or humans. The company will expand its 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 improved productivity, quality, and value of agricultural products, while moving towards a green and sustainable agriculture,” Mr. Dang Ngoc Anh shared.

According to statistics from the Binh Thuan Provincial Power Company, 100% of the province's dragon fruit growing area has now adopted off-season flowering and fruiting techniques and uses only energy-saving light bulbs. Calculations show that using 20W compact fluorescent lamps and 9W LED lights for all dragon fruit cultivation in the province, instead of the previous 60W incandescent bulbs, will save approximately 837 million kWh of electricity annually, equivalent to 1.354 billion VND per year, with estimated investment cost reductions of over 1 billion VND. Besides illuminating dragon fruit plants, LED lights are also used in offshore fisheries (LED lighting helps attract fish and squid, etc.), increasing catch yields and saving fuel for generators on fishing vessels.

According to Phan Van Tan, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Binh Thuan province: In recent times, scientists have collaborated with many farmers to conduct scientific and technical research on dragon fruit cultivation. LED lighting for dragon fruit has a wavelength similar to natural light, stimulating plant growth and development, while also increasing yield 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 electricity emissions, protecting the environment, promoting sustainable production, and simultaneously enhancing value and saving national energy resources.

In the coming period, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Binh Thuan province will continue to coordinate with relevant units to strengthen information dissemination and promotion of the role and benefits of applying digital technology in the management, production, and consumption of agricultural products. This will help businesses, cooperatives, and especially farmers understand the role and importance of applying digital technology to production; contributing to the development of high-tech agriculture towards smart farming, focusing on traceability, and increasing the proportion of agriculture in the economy.

Comment (0)