Polyhouse Technology: Modern Agriculture in India


Agriculture and farming are the most essential backbones of any country for its development. At one point of time, traditional methods were used for farming which seemed to be sufficient but now as times have changed, these methods are extinct as the demand for off-season yields are too much within public. Along with traditional methods gone, modern technology has jumped in thus, making farming reach heights which were not even imagined back then. To fulfill the requirement of off-season yields, a solution is there: Polyhouses. This method has actually transformed traditional farming to high-tech and modern farming in many countries and other tropical or subtropical regions within controlled conditions thus, increasing productivity with minimal investments.
Polyhouse Construction
A polyhouse is basically like a “Greenhouse”, a special concept in agriculture. The construction of a polyhouse can be very big to small, depending on requirements. They are generally semi-circular, lengthened or square in shapes. It is built with the purpose of keeping the interior portion warm with exposure to sunlight and to let green-house gases escape out.
Polyhouses construction is generally classified in two types:
Naturally ventilated: As the name suggests, this is the general or classical style of a polyhouse. These polyhouses are generally made from wood and glass.
Unfortunately, it does not have any system to control its yields from the bad environment like climate change. It may have first-aids like drip irrigation system, ventilation and pest control but, cannot suffice to produce off-season crops.
Environmentally controlled: These are the advanced kinds of polyhouses mainly designed to increase the growth phase of crops and targeting especially, off-season yields. Such kinds of polyhouses are made using specialized polyethene sheet as a cover to help the crops grow under partially or entirely controlled conditions. Such construction becomes easy because of the advanced plastic technology.
The specialty of these polyhouses is that they install control systems which can adjust or control the sunlight, humidity, temperature, etc. thus, improving productivity. Besides overtaking weather or off-season crop problems, one more advantage is that it can help grow crops which are impossible in those regions.
Crops grown in Polyhouses
Polyhouses can grow almost all kinds of crops like:
- Vegetables: Tomato, Capsicum, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Onion, Bitter Gourd, Chilies, Ladyfinger, Broccoli, Cucumber, Lettuce, Brinjal, etc.
- Fruits: Watermelon, Papaya, Peach, Raspberry, Strawberry, Cherry, Watermelon, Citrus, etc.
- Flowers: Gerbera, Carnations, Chrysanthemum, Orchids, Marigold, Strelitzia, Orchids, Anthurium, Rose, Jasmine, etc.
Advantages of Polyhouses
With agriculture advancing highly, polyhouses has its own share in it. Let us see how:
- The crops are not damaged by bad climate changes such as unexpected storms, heavy rain, radiations, etc. and thus, the produce yielded is of better quality.
- Due to lesser investment and greater yields, farmers can be greatly benefitted from polyhouse agriculture but unfortunately, they are not much accustomed to this kind of system or do not have much knowledge about it.
- Optimal production with high quality in their growth can be seen because of a microclimate created around the crops.
- The crops are less likely to be damaged by pests and insects.
- Plants inhale carbon dioxide or CO2 which is produced more in polyhouses thus, benefitting them.
- In case water is short in supply, drip irrigation system becomes the best alternative and better for crop development in polyhouse kinds of construction.
- As seen before, all kind of crops can be grown in polyhouses, may it be non-edible, herbs, vegetables, fruits, spices, etc.
- Less human labour and efforts are required in comparison to the traditional methods of farming.
Disadvantages of Polyhouses
Unfortunately, there are some disadvantages of a polyhouse also like:
- Setup and maintenance costs can prove to be a lot expensive specially, for farmers.
- Due to confined space, it is possible for the inner temperature to rise quickly and extreme high.
- Off-season crops may ask for extra efficient management in the polyhouse.
Conclusion
Polyhouse farming can prove to be sustainable economically and environmentally thus, making the country a better place to live for the farmers and other citizens.
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