Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to analyze the management performance and production efficiency of strawberry farmers who introduced smart farming, one of the primary symbols of the fourth industrial revolution in the agricultural sector. Methods: We conducted an empirical survey of strawberry farms using smart farming and analyzed production efficiency using DEA method. Results: First, difficulties for strawberry farmers introducing smart farming included time and money spent on parts replacement and additional costs due to compatibility problems with existing facilities after the adoption. Second, strawberry farmers using smart farming increased their total income by producing higher yield and improving quality thanks to the competent growth management. Third, the analysis of production efficiencies before and after smart farming found improvement in technical efficiency, pure technical efficiency, and scale efficiency. But, the gaps in technical and scale efficiencies among the farms widened. Conclusion: Based on the results above, following policy suggestions are offered. First, an environment control technology suitable for strawberry farming needs to be developed. Second, the smart farming technology needs to be standardized by the government. Third, new smart farm models need to be developed to accommodate to the facilities and environment in Korea through collecting big data including high-quality data on the environment, growth, and yield. Fourth, continuing education needs to be provided to narrow the gap in smart farming technology among strawberry farmers.
