Using LED lights to grow daisy, profits increased by over 20%

Saving 20 - 30 billion VND/year for daisy production

Lam Dong is one of the localities with the largest flower production area in the country with about 9,000 ha/year, the structure of flower varieties is quite diverse, and flowers are grown all year round with superior quality compared to other production areas. In which, daisy cultivation area is about 3,000 ha/year, and the output is about 1.3 billion branches/year.

In daisy production, to ensure the growth, flowering and quality of flower stems, the addition of photoperiod (electrical lighting) is a prerequisite. According to the assessment, the production of each ha of daisy must use about 1.6 thousand bulbs with the time to add light for commercial flowers from 30-35 days. In the case of seed production, lighting must be maintained throughout the season, the lighting duration is from 7 to 8 hours a day.

According to the Potato, Vegetable and Flower Research Center (referred to as the Vegetables and Flowers Center, under the Southern Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, located in Ward 12, Da Lat City), in Lam Dong, with an area of ​​about 3 thousand ha of commercial daisy today, the production needs about 4.8 million bulbs each year.

"The type of light bulb currently in common use is a compact lamp with a capacity of 20-25W. For this light bulb, if calculating the total area in Lam Dong province, the electricity consumption ranges from 16.8 million kW to 28.8 million kW, equivalent to an amount from VND 33.6 to 53.7 billion/year. For this light bulb, if calculating the total area in Lam Dong province, the electricity consumption ranges from 16.8 million kW to 28.8 million kW, equivalent to an amount from VND 33.6 to 53.7 billion/year. This shows that finding new lighting solutions for daisies is very necessary to reduce electricity consumption, reduce investment costs as well as contribute to environmental protection," said Dr Nguyen The Nhuan, Director of the Potato, Vegetable and Flower Research Center.

Realizing that, in 2015, the Potato, Vegetable and Flower Research Center collaborated with Rang Dong Company, South Korea's Elcomtec Company to research and test led bulbs for daisy production in Xuan Tho commune, Da Lat city.

Here, the Flower and Vegetable Center cooperated with the local Farmers' Association to support 50 households to build a model with a total area of 5 ha. Households are supported with 70% of the cost of seeds, led bulbs, fertilizer supplies, and plant protection drugs. Along with that, the Center organizes training on planting and caring for commercial daisies and techniques for using LED lights for farmers.

The introduction of LED lights into production has improved the quality of daisy flowers, minimized electricity costs and improved economic efficiency. Using LED lights with a capacity of 6 - 9W helps reduce electricity costs for daisy production and can save about VND 20 - 30 billion/year for the daisy industry in Lam Dong. In addition, the life of led lights is about 15-20 times longer than other lamps, environmentally friendly production materials.

Profits increased by over 20%

Dr Nguyen The Nhuan said that for models using LED lighting technology, daisy grow and develop well, and the flower height is guaranteed. In particular, the ability to differentiate flower buds, yield and quality of flower branches is adequate.

In these models, daisies have uniform growth, are less susceptible to pests and diseases, and the percentage of type A flowers is over 70%. The amount of power consumed for 1 ha/crop when using LED lights is about 2,400kW, down 2/3 compared to using compact lamps. The economic efficiency of the LED model is over VND 860 million/ha on average, the profit is over VND 400 million/ha, 22% higher than the model using compact light bulbs.

“The parts of led bulbs are manufactured with mica, aluminium alloy, so the lamp life is from 50,000 to 60,000 hours. Especially, the structure of the led light bulb does not contain mercury, so it is very safe for the environment and workers," said Dr Nguyen The Nhuan.

According to the data of the Farmers' Association of Da Lat City, the area of daisy production applying LED technology to the present time has reached nearly 300 ha. The goal is to strive that by 2030, 100% of the chrysanthemum production area in Lam Dong province will apply LED technology for additional lighting.