Greenhouse Farming: A Sustainable Approach to Enhance Crop Productivity in India

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What is Greenhouse Farming?
  • What is the Difference between Greenhouse and Polyhouse Farming?
• What is the Need for Greenhouse Farming in India?
• What are the Benefits of Greenhouse Farming in India?
• What are the Types of Greenhouses?
• What are the Challenges and Solutions in Greenhouse Farming?
  • Challenges to Adoption of Greenhouse Farming
  • Solutions to Address the Challenges
• What are the Subsidies for Greenhouse Farming in India?

Introduction

The economic prosperity of India depends largely upon prosperity of agriculture, which is the backbone of the Indian economy and provides livelihood to more than 50% of population. We need to increase agriculture productivity along with sustainability. For this, we need a modern and effective farming system that helps achieve the objectives and one such is greenhouse farming. Although, it is practiced across 50 countries of the world since last one century but is new to India.

What is Greenhouse Farming?

Greenhouse farming is a sustainable farming practice for cultivating crops within enclosed structures so that they grow in a protected environment. The structure of a greenhouse is usually made of galvanized steel. It is covered with a shading net or agricultural plastic film from all sides. The greenhouse size in India generally ranges from 1 acre to 3 acres.

Greenhouse cultivation is valuable for areas that receive high rainfall or have unfavourable weather. It uses plastic film in the form of a selective radiation filter. Thermal energy gets trapped within the greenhouse after solar radiation passes through the film. Crops are grown within these structures by providing favourable conditions like protection from pests and extreme weather conditions.

What is the Difference between Greenhouse and Polyhouse Farming? 

Polyhouse is a type of greenhouse with polyethylene covering the sides and roof of the structure. On the other hand, greenhouses can use a variety of materials like plastic films, semirigid polymers and glass as covering material. It has been observed that greenhouse farming is more expensive than polyhouse farming as greenhouses are permanent structures that are bigger than polyhouses.

What is the Need for Greenhouse Farming in India?

Green Revolution increased the focus on the quantity and quality of produce to meet rising nutritional and food requirements. Protecting crops from unsuitable environmental conditions was the goal of protected cultivation. Greenhouse farming emerged as a viable alternative to achieve the goals of protected agriculture.

India is experiencing a transformed agricultural landscape. The food demands are intensifying due to a rising population. In addition, people are demanding high-quality and off-season fruits and vegetables. Greenhouse farming is a profitable solution for farmers to meet the increasing demand. Some of the profitable greenhouse crops include flowers like Orchids, Lily and Carnations, vegetables like Tomatoes, Cucumbers and Colour Capsicum, and fruits like Strawberries, Grapes and Melons.

Also, there is a huge pressure on agricultural land due to urbanization. Thus, there is a need for practices that can improve productivity per unit area. Traditional farming practices are not reliable in erratic weather patterns. Also, India suffers from extreme temperatures, high rainfall and droughts on a regular basis. Greenhouse cultivation provides a controlled environment that facilitates cultivation throughout the year.

There is a need for more fruits and vegetables in the diets of low to medium-class populations. However, farmers are not willing to grow fruits and vegetables on their croplands. Greenhouses offer a great way to cultivate in such conditions.

What are the Benefits of Greenhouse Farming in India?

• Increased Crop Quality: Due to the controlled environment, crops in greenhouses get the right number of resources like water, sunlight and nutrients. It results in higher-quality produce, which is an important aspect of cash crops and export-oriented agriculture.
• Higher Yield per Unit Area: Greenhouse cultivation is often characterized by higher productivity than traditional farming methods. Farmers can manage different environmental factors and regulate conditions for ideal crop growth. So, they can grow more per unit of land.
• Environmental Sustainability: By optimizing resource utilization and minimizing the use of chemical inputs, greenhouse farming contributes to environmental sustainability. It can manage water use efficiently and reduce carbon footprint to engage in sustainable agriculture.
• Higher Profits: Higher productivity means higher crop yield and more income for farmers. Also, greenhouse farming offers more profits per crop per square foot than traditional farming when it is combined with other effective practices like hydroponics. More efficient use of resources results in less waste and bigger profits.
• Mitigating Production Risks: Greenhouse farming is conducted in enclosed spaces that prevent crop damage due to unreliable climatic conditions like extreme temperatures. Also, it prevents crop damage caused by pests, animals and birds. So, there is less risk of crop losses and lower yields.
• Year-round Cultivation: This farming practice offers an independent space for growing crops. Thus, farmers can cultivate crops not only seasonally but also all year round. High-quality crops are produced despite extreme summer heat or severe winter cold.

What are the Types of Greenhouses?

Different types of greenhouse structures are used to produce crops. All of these structures have their specific merits and demerits, and thus, one cannot be considered superior to others. Farmers can choose a greenhouse structure depending on various factors like space, crops, climatic conditions and required investment.

Below are different greenhouse types:

Depending on the Shape

• Ground-to-ground type
• Quonset type
• Sawtooth greenhouse
• Interlocking ridges & furrow type Quonset type
• Ridge and Furrow greenhouse
• Even span type 
• Uneven span type
• Lean-to type

Depending on the Utility

• For active cooling
• For active heating

Depending on the Construction

• Pipe framed
• Wooden framed
• Truss framed

Depending on the Covering Material

• Plastic film type
• Rigid panel type
• Glass type

Depending on the Construction Cost

• Low cost
• Medium cost
• High cost

What are the Challenges and Solutions in Greenhouse farming?

Challenges in Adoption of Greenhouse Farming

• It is known to be highly expensive as it not only demands high capital investment but also high operating costs.
• If there is any kind of pest or disease outbreak, there is a risk of the entire crop getting affected due to a closed space.
• Another common issue is clogged air filtration systems in greenhouses.
• Temperature swings can deter healthy growth in crops.

Solutions to Address the Challenges

• The government can implement favourable policy measures to expand the amount and scope of subsidies related to greenhouses. Research and development must be conducted to develop low-cost designs to reduce the cost of constructing greenhouses.
• Disinfection must be a top priority for greenhouse farmers. Regular inspection and cleaning of components like water tanks and lines is required to ensure decontamination.
• Farmers need to ensure an effective ventilation system. Thus, they must check and change air filters frequently.
• Farmers can use a greenhouse whitewash or shade cloth if the greenhouse suffers from extreme heat. An efficient heating system is ideal for colder climates. Regular inspection must be done to maintain a suitable temperature within the greenhouse.

What are the Subsidies for Greenhouse Farming in India?

The National Horticulture Mission (NHM) was launched under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) in 2005-2006. It aims to grow the horticulture sector holistically.

To improve horticulture infrastructure across the country, including greenhouses, the central government offers a subsidy of 50% of the total project cost. It is 15% more for hilly areas. This subsidy has been limited to a ceiling of 4,000 sq m per beneficiary and Rs. 700 to 825 per sqm.

Different state governments also offer financial assistance for constructing greenhouses. The Rajasthan government has created the Green House Scheme to provide subsidies for greenhouses. For 4,000 square meters, a 50% grant (general-category farmers) and a 70% grant (small, marginal, SC and ST farmers) have been allocated. Telangana government offers a 75% subsidy to small and marginal farmers to establish greenhouses and polyhouses.