Korean Smart Farm Turns Uzbek Greenhouse Into Export Hub

An idle greenhouse in Uzbekistan just became a thriving strawberry farm thanks to Korean technology that's proving sustainable farming can flourish anywhere.

Firmmit, a Korean smart farm company, converted a 1.5-hectare abandoned facility in Uzbekistan's Yukorichirchik district into a state-of-the-art hydroponic operation. The project planted 75,000 strawberry plants specifically bred for their firmness and ability to travel long distances to markets in Russia and Kazakhstan.

The transformation relies on hydroponics, a soil-free growing method that delivers water and nutrients directly to plant roots through coconut fiber and drip irrigation. This approach eliminates soil diseases and sidesteps Uzbekistan's challenges with salty soil and inconsistent field conditions.

"With hydroponics, uniform flavor and berry size are achieved through balanced plant nutrition," explains Sun Kee Park, Firmmit's CEO. The entire system runs on software that controls every drop of water and fertilizer from a central platform.

What makes this greenhouse truly special is its brain: an AI program called FINO that calculates exactly what nutrients the plants need based on local water quality and sunshine levels. Sensors throughout the facility constantly monitor temperature, humidity, CO₂, and light, sending data that managers can access remotely from Korea.

Despite starting late and having a shortened first season, the greenhouse produced 30,000 kg of strawberries and generated $476,744 in revenue with a 76% profit margin. Full-season projections estimate 90,000 to 112,500 kg annually, with each plant yielding up to 1.5 kg of fruit.

The strawberries maintained restaurant-quality consistency, with 83% meeting premium retail standards. Sugar levels stayed between 11.5 and 13.0 Brix, sweet enough to compete with the best berries on store shelves.

The Ripple Effect

Uzbekistan's geography makes it perfect for this technology. With over 2,700 hours of annual sunshine, the country can produce high-sugar strawberries without expensive artificial lighting, keeping costs down while quality stays high.

The success has sparked expansion plans. Firmmit recently partnered with Uzagrostar Xolding to scale production and build cold storage systems for exports. The goal is positioning Uzbekistan as Central Asia's premium strawberry supplier.

The company tests innovations at its vertical farming facility in Korea, where strawberries grow on 10-tier indoor systems year-round. Lessons learned in controlled Korean labs get applied to international greenhouses, creating a feedback loop of constant improvement.

Future improvements will align planting schedules with peak market demand and expand nursery operations for timely transplanting. Better logistics and post-harvest handling will make exports even more efficient.

What started as one renovated greenhouse is becoming a model for transforming underused agricultural infrastructure across the region into productive, profitable farms.