Traditionally farmers have depended on
nature for cultivation of food and cash crop. It is the usual practice to raise
a particular crop for a particular season. So most of the food we consume fresh
is seasonal. Preservation techniques, though available is not always preferred
especially for fruits. Not all crops can be grown in all places – the fitness
of a crop is mostly determined by climatic conditions such a sunshine,
temperature, humidity and soil types. However, with Polyhouse farming techniques, it is possible to grow crops of any
type almost anywhere around the world. Golden Groves, a reputed realty farming
enterprise based in Coimbatore is a pioneer of Polyhouse farming in this
region.
Polyhouse Farming Basics
Polyhouse
farming is basically about creating an artificial
climate within an enclosure. It is enclosed so that humidity, temperature, wind
speed, sunlight and soil type can be regulated as required for a particular
crop and that too at its optimum levels. This is a big advantage because it is
possible to increase yield many times over and at the same time it is also
possible to get the best quality of produce. This is advantageous for the
farmer, because it is possible to produce crops around the year and during
non-seasons as well. It leads to higher price realization making farming a
profitable activity.
The other benefits of Polyhouse farming include:
1.
Protection from predators
such as pests, scavenging animals and temporary weather conditions like
rainfall, frost and extreme dryness or humidity.
2.
Higher yield due to
controlled use of manure, fertilizers and nutrients. In addition to higher
yield the farmer is also able to ensure that his produce is of uniform quality
and consistency.
3.
It is possible to reduce
the area of cultivation for the same quantity of produce. Some crops are so
adaptable to Polyhouse farming, so much so that the land area can be reduced to
as little as one-third of normal requirements.
4.
It is easier to adapt drip
irrigation, meaning, the farmer needs lesser water and consequently a smaller
quantity of energy to wheel it to the crop. This also makes it possible to
deliver water in right quantities at the right time.
5.
Support from government
for building Polyhouse through a system of subsidy. Other support is also
available depending upon the areas in which the activity is carried out.
Support is also available in the form of guidance and periodical visit from the
agriculture department.
6.
Extensive support is also
available from banks and other financial institutions for initiating Polyhouse
farming. Bank finance for Polyhouse farming are much cheaper than those for
other activities. Repayment cycle is also longer making it attractive for
farmers.
7.
It is possible to utilize
barren and unproductive soil in Polyhouse
farming. Alternatively it is also possible to prepare the soil bed
artificially by transporting soil that is more conducive to cultivating a
particular crop type.
8.
Requires less human labour
and therefore the cost of production goes down significantly. In terms of
profitability the farmer is able to realize higher price due to lower
production cost.
Polyhouse Types
There are basically 3 types of Poly-housing
in India. Your choice of Poly-housing will depend upon the terrain, the kind of
crop you wish to raise and of course, your budget. The best known types of Poly-housing
are: Glass House, Shade Net and Polyhouse.
Of the three, Polyhouse is the most
frequently used type. This is because it is adaptable to multiple crop types.
Glass house is considered expensive and difficult to maintain and whereas the
shade net is limited only to certain types of crops and requires frequent
replacement.
Advantages of Polyhouse construction
1.
It is easier to control
the amount of light falling on the plants. Light intensity is measured in Lux.
In India there is generally a good supply of light and most often it is in
excess. Polyhouse can reduce the amount of lux throwing on the plants thereby
making it possible to raise crops that require less amount of sunshine.
2.
Polyhouse uses materials
that are readily available. This means that construction costs are reasonable
and the time take is much less compared to glass house. Where wood is available
it is possible to use it for making Polyhouse.
3.
Polyhouse is flexible to
multiple crop types – flowers, fruits and vegetables for example. In addition
it is ideal for use in places where there is intense sunlight falling. It is
considered best where there is an extensive need for good ventilation.
Golden Groves is a realty Polyhouse farming technology company
that enables professional farmers and budding amateurs to involve themselves in
farming activities. It is to their distinction that they are among the pioneers
who brought realty farming for Barhi Date to the fore in Coimbatore. To learn
more about their realty farming projects please visit: www.goldengroves.in