ID :
21578
Sat, 09/27/2008 - 17:55
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/21578
The shortlink copeid
Gov't to fund terrestrial heat farming system to deal with high fuel prices By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, Sept. 26 (Yonhap) -- The government said Friday that it will provide 116.6 billion won (US$100.0 million) this year to fund a terrestrial heat farming system that can help greenhouse growers cope with high energy costs.
The system developed by the Rural Development Administration (RDA) can cut
heating costs by 80 percent and be used almost permanently with little need for
maintenance. It is mostly designed to create heat, but can be employed as a form
of air conditioning in the summer months.
As of 2007, South Korea had 53,036 hectares of greenhouses raising various
vegetables, flowers and fruits.
"Pilot systems set up at farms in Jinju, Buyeo and Iksan have all shown marked
reduction in energy-related spending," deputy RDA administrator Ryu Gab-hee said.
He added that actual tests showed that the system using coiled pipes buried 3-4
meters underground, compressors, power exchange units and fans could reduce
heating expenses by 11.21 million won for every 1000 square meters.
Greenhouse farmers said fuel costs make up 30-50 percent of all
production-related outlays, raising overall costs and hurting competitiveness.
"The mechanism and cost cuts are in line with the government's plan to strive for
eco-friendly growth that has taken on new urgency with sharp hikes in fuel
prices," the official said.
The price of Dubai crude that makes up the bulk of South Korea's imports reached
$95.22 on Thursday from an average $68.43 for the whole of last year.
The system took three years to develop and is the first of its kind to be used on
farms.
The official then said to defray the high cost of installing the system, farmers
only need to pay 20 percent of the facility cost, with the central and regional
government paying 60 percent and 20 percent of the total, respectively.
It costs 100 million won to install a system that can heat 100 square meters of a
greenhouse. Installation time is about 45 days depending on the size of the
greenhouse.
"The government is looking into ways to reduce costs for farmers by offering low
interest, long-term loans," Ryu said.
He then said that while the funds earmarked for this year are insufficient to
meet demand, the program will be carried over into coming years since it can
benefit farmers and provide a market for related machinery for manufacturers.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
The system developed by the Rural Development Administration (RDA) can cut
heating costs by 80 percent and be used almost permanently with little need for
maintenance. It is mostly designed to create heat, but can be employed as a form
of air conditioning in the summer months.
As of 2007, South Korea had 53,036 hectares of greenhouses raising various
vegetables, flowers and fruits.
"Pilot systems set up at farms in Jinju, Buyeo and Iksan have all shown marked
reduction in energy-related spending," deputy RDA administrator Ryu Gab-hee said.
He added that actual tests showed that the system using coiled pipes buried 3-4
meters underground, compressors, power exchange units and fans could reduce
heating expenses by 11.21 million won for every 1000 square meters.
Greenhouse farmers said fuel costs make up 30-50 percent of all
production-related outlays, raising overall costs and hurting competitiveness.
"The mechanism and cost cuts are in line with the government's plan to strive for
eco-friendly growth that has taken on new urgency with sharp hikes in fuel
prices," the official said.
The price of Dubai crude that makes up the bulk of South Korea's imports reached
$95.22 on Thursday from an average $68.43 for the whole of last year.
The system took three years to develop and is the first of its kind to be used on
farms.
The official then said to defray the high cost of installing the system, farmers
only need to pay 20 percent of the facility cost, with the central and regional
government paying 60 percent and 20 percent of the total, respectively.
It costs 100 million won to install a system that can heat 100 square meters of a
greenhouse. Installation time is about 45 days depending on the size of the
greenhouse.
"The government is looking into ways to reduce costs for farmers by offering low
interest, long-term loans," Ryu said.
He then said that while the funds earmarked for this year are insufficient to
meet demand, the program will be carried over into coming years since it can
benefit farmers and provide a market for related machinery for manufacturers.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
