In partnership with the iDE Global Innovation Lab and the Cambodia Institute of Technology, Würh Elektronik's research project with local Cambodian mushroom farmers, located at the University of Valencia Science Park, has been recognized with the Core77 Design Awards
The agricultural sector in rural Cambodia faces several impacts and constraints from climate change, including severe water shortages, rising temperatures, insufficient markets for input supply, and limited availability of agricultural technology. This affects smallholder farmers in rural Cambodia. Mushroom farming has great potential for livelihood development, climate change resilience and improved nutrition in Cambodia.
Supporting mushroom farmers to help their communities thrive the company based at the University of Valencia Science Park, Würth Elektronik, in partnership with the iDE Global Innovation Lab and the Cambodia Institute of Technology, has been conducting field research with local mushroom farmers since 2022 to understand their current context, focusing on their main challenges and opportunities to increase their production, quality and income. This initiative has been recognized with the Core77 Design Awards.
Würth Elektronik's Spanish headquarters in Valencia was involved in all phases of the project. "We played the role of technology advisors, offering initial innovative solutions to the problem posed. Subsequently, we were in charge of the development of the initial prototype that was sent to Cambodia for preliminary testing. Finally, we provided technical support during the development of the second and final iteration, and a member of our team went to Cambodia to assist in field testing and deployment of the final design," explains Antonio Alcarria, product manager at Würth and involved in the campaign, who welcomes the recognition: "We were very motivated by the opportunity to contribute in a social and supportive way to a crucial project for many people without resources with the aim of increasing their development and autonomy. We have received the award with great joy, as our first collaborative project has been successful and has proven to be really useful in addressing a social problem in Cambodia."
From the research, the team identified the key parameters that most influence mushroom yield and quality, such as ambient carbon dioxide level, humidity level, temperature level during fruiting, and light intensity, color and duration during the fruiting phase.
The team created a smart sensing and control system that uses sensors and controllers to measure and regulate humidity, temperature and CO2 level in the growing environment to optimal levels. Using IoT technology, the system is updated on a real-time dashboard where environmental conditions and relay statuses can be monitored, allowing growers to accurately control and monitor their growing conditions, minimize water and electricity consumption, reduce the effort required to control the growing environment, and optimize yield and quality.
"It is essential to participate in this type of solidarity projects. It gives us the opportunity to contribute to the betterment of the world by offering technological solutions to social and environmental problems", Antonio Alcarria, Würth Elektronik Spain
The control system has been developed to use a simple user interface, in Khmer language, and to require minimal farmer intervention, as it is fully automated. This was done deliberately to ensure that this system could be used by most farmers, even those with accessibility or language barriers. The cultivation kit includes both a measuring and control system, the mushroom cultivation tent and mushroom hanging structure, and a drainage system that in turn prevents pests from climbing on the mushrooms.
The control system has led to an immediate increase in mushroom cultivation of 93% compared to an identical manual installation not controlled by a control system. The development of this control system and a business model for inclusive marketing of this product is expected to reduce losses and transform the livelihoods of rural Cambodian farmers, and enable them to continue to grow mushrooms at ideal yield and quality throughout the year, while optimizing their water and energy use.
"It is essential to participate in this type of solidarity projects. It gives us the opportunity to contribute to the betterment of the world by offering technological solutions to social and environmental problems," Alcarria emphasizes.
Würth Elektronik Spain
Würth Elektronik is a group headquartered in Niedernhall (Hohenlohe, Germany) with approximately 8,300 employees worldwide. With 16 production sites, Würth Elektronik is one of the most successful companies in the Würth Group. It operates internationally with its three areas in different markets: Electromechanical and electronic components, circuit boards and intelligent power control systems.
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