Discovering the World of Polyhouse Farming

Table of Contents

• What is Polyhouse Farming?
• What are the different types of Polyhouse farming?
• What are the Key structural Components of a polyhouse?
• Which types of Crops are grown in Polyhouse agriculture?
• Difference between Polyhouse Farming and Greenhouse Farming
• What are the Advantages of Polyhouse Farming?
• What are the Government Initiatives for Polyhouse Farming?
• Polyhouse Farming in the Future

What is Polyhouse Farming?

A polyhouse is a structure made from transparent polyethylene, where plants grow in controlled climate conditions. Polyhouses come in different sizes, depending on the crop and budget. Let's take a closer look at polyhouse farming.

Polyhouse farming is a type of greenhouse farming, which was introduced in the early 1980s. In polyhouse farming, crops are grown in controlled climatic conditions, and farmers can easily manage temperature and humidity as per the crop’s requirements. In India, it is widely known because of its affordability factor. Polyhouse helps protect plants from extreme weather conditions like sunlight exposure, wind, etc. It is also better than open farming, as the crop results are more reliable in this type of farming.

What are the different types of Polyhouse farming?

Polyhouses are mainly grouped into three categories: by environmental control system, shape, and technology. Let's look at each type below.

1. Based on the Environmental Control System

• Naturally ventilated polyhouse
• Environmentally controlled polyhouse

1. Based on Shape

• Lean-to
• Even span
• Uneven span
• Ridge and furrow
• Saw tooth
• Quonset

2. Based on Technology

• Low cost
• Medium cost
• High cost

In India, polyhouses based on an environmental control system are more popular than others. Let’s understand each type in detail.

• Naturally Ventilated Polyhouse

A naturally ventilated polyhouse is a basic and traditional type of polyhouse. It features climate control, drip irrigation systems, foggers, pest control systems, and ventilation control. They completely control the inside climatic conditions, and help crops to grow perfectly.

• Environmental Controlled Polyhouse

An environmentally controlled polyhouse, on the other hand, is a modern type of polyhouse. It has additional functional features that control humidity, temperature, and more. It can cultivate off-season crops thanks to its salient features, making it a more sophisticated type of polyhouse.

What are the Key structural Components of a polyhouse?

• Polyethylene – Polyethylene is the most important component of a polyhouse as most of the polyhouses are made up of transparent polythene, which is tight, cheap and flexible. Polyhouses prevent thermal radiation, thus controlling humidity and temperature.
• Heating Systems – Heating systems are used to cover polyhouses with jute coverings during the day and night to maintain the interior temperature when solar energy is insufficient.
• Cooling Systems – In hot weather conditions, cooling systems are required. The cooling of a polyhouse is done by providing adequate ventilation and removing the internal air from the polyhouse. It can be natural or by installing high-power fans.
• Watering Systems – Water systems are used to test water quality before installing the polyhouse. Water sources should be properly checked. Micro-irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation and sprinklers, can be used. PVC tubes, pumps, and filtration systems are used in drip irrigation.
• Shading Systems: These systems protect the polyhouse from too much sunlight. Common options include shade paints, agro-shade nets, or retractable thermal screens.
• Fertigation – Fertigation is the process of simultaneously applying fertiliser to irrigation water, meeting the specific needs of each crop. It can range from simple fertiliser spreading to using soluble fertilizers with different systems. and lighted by a water-circulating pump or exhaust fan, incandescent bulbs, and fluorescent tubes.

Which types of Crops are grown in Poly agriculture?

Polyhouses are used to cultivate off-season crops under a synthetic roof. There are varieties of fruits and vegetables, along with exotic flowers.

These are the most common crops cultivated in poly agriculture. Make sure to consider market demand, climatic conditions, and preferences when selecting crops.

Difference between Polyhouse Farming and Greenhouse Farming

What are the Advantages of Polyhouse Farming?

Polyhouse farming can yield higher yields and produce better quality. Its advantages are mentioned below:

• Controlled climatic conditions such as temperature, heat, wind, etc.
• All year-round crops.
• Promote organic farming.
• Fewer pests and insect attacks.
• Reduce the impact of the external climate.
• maximum profit in a minimum area under cultivation.
• High-quality produce.
• Ornamental crops can also be grown.
• Increases yield 8 – 10 times.
• Easy fertiliser application.

What are the Government Initiatives for Polyhouse Farming?

There are several assistance schemes or subsidies provided by the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India, for Horticulture Infrastructure (Greenhouses, Polyhouses, Structures, etc.).

Under sub-schemes of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and Horticulture Mission for Northeast & Himalayan States (HMNEH) under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH):

• 50% of the cost (15% higher for hilly areas), Rs. 700/- to 825/- per sq. metre assistance has been provided to Protected Cultivation Green House, Fan & Pad System (limited to 4000 sq. metre per beneficiary),
• 50% of the cost (15% higher for hilly areas),

1. Rs. 422/- to Rs. 530/- per sq. m. Tubular structure,
2. Rs. 270/- per sq. m. wooden structure,
3. Rs. 225/- per sq. m. Bamboo structure

has been provided to Naturally Ventilated System (Maximum 4000 sq. m per beneficiary),

• 50% of the cost (15% higher for hilly areas) up to Rs. 355/- per sq. metre has been given to Shade Net House: Tubular structure (Maximum 1000 sq. m per beneficiary),
• 50% of the cost (15% higher for hilly areas), Rs. 180/- and Rs. 246 per sq. metre for bamboo and wooden structures respectively, is given to Bamboo & Wooden Structure (Maximum 200 sq. m per beneficiary, limited to 5 units),
• 50% of the cost (15% higher for hilly areas) up to Rs. 16,000/- hectare is provided to plastic mulch, and
• 50% of the cost (15% higher for hilly areas) up to Rs. 300/- per sq. metre has been provided to Plastic Tunnel: (Maximum 1000 sq. m/ beneficiary)

Polyhouse Farming in the Future

Polyhouse farming is gaining wide popularity in India. It is an economical farming system that improves crop yield and is the perfect replacement for traditional polyhouse agricultural practices. It can boost crop yields by up to 8-10 times, which is better than any traditional farming method. This method is also beneficial for small-scale farmers, as they can grow almost any crop, whether seasonal or exotic, or off-season. It is a more efficient farm that uses less water and land. Hence, polyhouse farming will remain beneficial for the farmers in the coming years.