The coverage of smart greenhouses is expected to grow to more than 100 mu (6.67 hectares) in the near future, in a bid to increase income for farmers in Zhanjiang's Potou district, Guangdong province, according to Lin Haiyan, a manager of a greenhouse using smart technology.

Lin's words are based on her success in cultivating vegetables from a 1.2-hectare greenhouse, which began producing early this year.

Purchased from Israel, the smart equipment in the greenhouse has improved the productivity of Lin's crops considerably. Without using soil from the ground, her vegetables are planted on a black plastic film filled with organic fertilizer. It not only prevents any diseases but eliminates the use of pesticides.

"The vegetables in the smart greenhouse are growing twice as fast as they are in the traditional greenhouses, and the yield has also doubled," said Lin.

In addition to high production, the smart equipment irrigates with greater accuracy. With some data input, it can monitor the water content with a sensor and guide the farmers to take care of the vegetables in a more scientific way. The smartness also saves a lot on labor, according to Lin.

"With the help of Israeli experts, the design and material of the smart greenhouses are able to resist a category 14 typhoon (winds speed reaching 41.5 meters per second)," said Lin, revealing that the coastal city of Zhanjiang is often affected by high winds.

With all her vegetables from the smart greenhouse having sold out already, Lin revealed that she planned to transport green vegetables to Hong Kong in the future, expanding to a wider market for smart greenhouse technology.

Observation work is carried out by a farmer at the smart greenhouse in Zhanjiang's Potou district, Guangdong province.[Photo/zhanjiang.gov.cn]