Introduction
With the fluctuating weather conditions, some of the most viable methods for the small scale farmer include the cultivation of greenhouses to boost production, crop quality, and to produce crops on a year-round basis. In many areas of farming, the wet and dry weather could end up destroying open-field crops within a few days; there is little control over the variability of rainfall patterns and wide swings in temperature. In protected cultivation, the farmer can control more effectively the use of water, air temperature, humidity and exposure of pests. This allows vegetables to be grown on a regular basis, particularly those with high-value market demands like tomatoes and bell peppers that thrive in a controlled environment. With the use of modern but cost-effective methods and technologies, implementing simple greenhouse practices can mitigate the risk of small-scale farmers, increase market price of their farming produce and provide better quality uniformity over the year, use less of resources like water, chemical input, etc.
- Low-Cost Tunnel Greenhouse Designs
One of the most convenient options for small and vulnerable farmers seeking to embrace protected farming without significant capital investment is low-cost tunnel greenhouse design that allows small farmers to opt for tunnel greenhouses without the high upfront costs associated with other greenhouse types. They are usually constructed from locally-sourced materials like bamboo, wooden poles or galvanized pipes bent into semi-circular shapes and covered with UV-stabilized polyethylene sheets. The design is relatively simple, enabling farmers to build them at a much more affordable cost than commercial glass greenhouses and still provide them with satisfactory environmental control. Often, ventilation is conducted using the side curtains of the structure as roll up curtains to control the temperature and humidity in the cavity. These tunnels play an important role in hot climates, thanks to the capacity of lowering direct sun intensity and also the capability of guarding the crops from heavy rainfall and wind damage. With proper care and maintenance, low cost tunnels can serve multiple seasons of vegetable production, providing greater quality of the crop, particularly for tomatoes and peppers and other sensitive crops which are vulnerable to cracking and uneven ripening due to fluctuations in temperature, humidity, and light.
- Drip irrigation Systems for Water Budgeting and efficiency.
Drip irrigation is a very efficient method of watering that supplies water to the crop’s root zone in small quantifiable amounts. It is highly beneficial in greenhouse farming since it helps to retain water, minimize leaf wetness and helps to prevent the transmission of fungal diseases that are more likely to occur when leaf surfaces are excessively wet. Drip irrigation can be adapted for small scale farmers using a simple irrigation kit comprised of a water tank, mainline pipes, lateral tubes and emitters installed close to each plant. A benefit of this system is that water and fertilizer delivery can be targeted to a much higher degree – fertilizer targeted though fertilizer shoot – called fertigation, which add to crop uniformity and nutrient use. Drip irrigation is recommended as a method to provide moisture to each plant in greenhouses where plants are grown at higher density alternatives to others. In the long run, this approach can substantially increase water use efficiency, decrease labour expenses and boost production—making it key to sustainable and profitable protected cultivation operations.
- Soilless Media & Container Growing Systems
Using soilless media systems has become a favored trend in contemporary greenhouse cultivation due to the many challenges that soil can pose to greenhouse growers, including poor fertility, soil-borne diseases and inconsistent soil structure. A non-soil environment with crops grown in inert growing media like coco peat, perlite, vermiculite or a blend of organic or inorganic which have excellent aeration and water holding capacity. These are typically installed in containers, grow bags or raised beds, providing the farmers total control over the root environment. One of the big advantages is better root health, resulting in better plant growth and increased yields. Nutrients are provided by the carefully managed fertigation systems, which allow the plant to be supplied at each growth stage the nutrients it needs. Soilless culture is particularly suitable for tomatoes, bell peppers and other fruits that demand careful nutrient regulation and maintenance of uniform moisture levels to obtain uniform, quality fruit for premium markets.
- Available options for maintaining a stable production.
It is one of the basic requirements for greenhouse crop production: the better crops grow in response to controlled conditions. In low cost systems farmers can take certain simple measures to control the temperature, humidity and ventilation to make farming effective. The use of passive ventilation using side openings, roof vents and shade nets can help mitigate heat gain during warmer nights and thermal screens or extra coverings keep the house warmer during cold nights. In some systems evaporative cooling such as wet pads or misting systems are also utilized to reduce internal temperature during extreme heat. A proper climate management decreases stress and burden on plants, enhances pollination and eliminates common problems like flower drop and fruit deformity in crops like tomatoes. The balanced maintenance of humidity is also very important because humidity that is too high will permit fungal infections, and too low will lower fruit set. Climate control, combined with a good irrigation and ventilation system, creates a stable growing environment which gives the ability to produce a uniform crop throughout the year.
- Use of Pest Exclusion Nets and Biological Protection.
Pest exclusion netting is a method that is very effective in controlling a pest infestation while being innocuous to the environment with minimal use of chemical pesticides. These nets can be installed over the ventilation openings and/or cover the entire structure to stop the entrance of pests like whitefly, aphid, thrips and fruit borer. If unwanted insects keep other insects from entering the orchard, generally it helps to keep crop damage caused by insects to a minimum and to prevent sources of infection by insect vectors. Many insect pests are also insect vectors that transmit pathogens. It is particularly useful for tomato and pepper crops, where a slight pest infestation can cause considerable losses in quality and yield. Farmers also use cultures of beneficial insects and organic sprays to achieve ecological balance, often using a combination of both approaches together with nets. The effects of exclusion nets and biological management are a safer system for production of vegetables that avoids chemical residues and produces grain that is more attractive to premium markets and health conscious consumers.
- Crop Selection for Tomatoes and Bell Peppers
In the greenhouse, the crop selection decision is one of the most crucial decisions that is made as the choice of crop has to do with productivity, marketability and profitability. The tomato and bell pepper are among the most appropriate crops for a protected production because of the large market demand and sensitivity to protected environment. Opting for good varieties will provide increased levels of disease resistance, yield potential and fruit quality. Recommend that farmers use hybrids that have been developed to grow in the greenhouses because they tend to give uniform fruits of longer shelf life. It is also important to consider planting density, growth form and pruning needs when optimizing space and production within the greenhouse environment. Crop selection for tomatoes and bell peppers can be found here and lists areas that will be helpful to farmers when they consider their cropping systems. With good greenhouse management, strategic crop selection can contribute to higher yields with fewer risks of crop failure and yield losses that affect profitability.
Conclusion
Within a modern integrated greenhouse production system, many of the problems of open field farming can be solved by the modern practices used by small farmers. Through incorporation of efficient drip irrigation systems, adoption of low cost designs of tunnels, use of soilless growing media, climate management practices, and pest exclusion nets, farmers can convert their production units to highly efficient and sustainable systems and adopt the right kind of crops to them. These techniques increase annual crop output, quality, reduce water requirements, decrease reliance on chemicals and extend the growing seasons all year long. Farmers who opt for protected cultivation for their vegetables have a higher chance of steady income and in the long-term, success in farming when the demand for fresh, good quality tomatoes and bell peppers continues to grow. When these techniques are adopted when training the farmer and gradually, then even for small-scale farmers they can be a competitive farmer in the present market.
