For the first time since Korea entered Antarctica, we succeeded in growing and harvesting fruit vegetables such as watermelon and tomatoes.
The Polar Research Institute, together with the Rural Development Administration, announced that the indoor farm installed at the Antarctic Sejong Science Station in January this year was successfully operated, and the base crews planted the first in May.
The members have been producing 1-2 kg of leafy vegetables every week, such as lettuce, since June. From mid-July, cucumbers, zucchini, and red pepper have been harvested.
In the middle of last month, fruit vegetables such as watermelon and tomatoes were produced for the first time.
The crew, who had not been able to find fresh ingredients for more than six months as travel to and from adjacent bases was suspended due to the global spread of Corona 19, is now said to eat fresh vegetables harvested from indoor farms at least once a week.
Indoor farms grow plants using LEDs, or light emitting diodes, as artificial light.
The Rural Development Administration provides support from time to time to prevent difficulties in growing crops by monitoring the growing environment and growth conditions inside indoor farms.
Of the 83 countries operating research bases in Antarctica, Korea is the second country after the United States to establish an indoor farm that can grow both leaf and fruit vegetables at the same time.
(Photo = provided by Polar Research Institute, Yonhap News)