GREENHOUSES I SHADE NET I HYDROPONICS I AQUAPONICS
Plastic on the floor between plant rows keeps the greenhouse neat. Note the yellow sticker pest cards here and there to warn about the presence of pests.
NEW HYDROPONICS START-UPS: WHY ITS COMMERCIALLY VIABLE Many younger people become enthusiastic over entering the fresh produce market but in a nonformal manner. Their question is; “Will I be able to make ends meet and grow in order to become financially viable?
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egetable production provides a promising economic opportunity for reducing rural poverty and unemployment in developing countries and is a key component of farm diversification strategies. Vegetables are mankind›s most affordable source of vitamins and minerals needed for good health, according to Science Direct. It is for certain that hydroponics greenhouses are becoming more popular and frequently discussed as business ventures or just community fresh food supply entities. The technologies in hydroponics farming are advancing at a phenomenal pace and now even smaller greenhouses can become successful.
Reasons Producing in greenhouses with hydroponics systems is very profitable. They are more productive than soil farming, but require a higher start-up
4 Undercover farming I January/February 2022 I Volume 19 No 1
cost. However, against the much larger open land space, water usage, climate errs and pests, higher volumes of produce are produced with less water and often, less chemical usage. Highvalue fruits and vegetables produce the most revenue. Plants grown in hydroponics greenhouses can produce yields up to 11 times higher than those grown in soil farms. In hydroponics greenhouses, plants can be stacked vertically or horizontally and, since their roots don’t grow as much, they can be placed closer together. Hydroponics farms can grow three to ten times more produce than soil farming using the same amount of space. Furthermore, in a greenhouse you can produce 41 kg of produce per sq. meter each year. Compare that with the much lower 3.9kg in the case of open land farming and get going! However, the costs of hydroponics operations are a little different from those of soil farming. There are many things you can do to maximize the profits of your hydroponics greenhouse. Here are a few ideas to help you maintain a profitable greenhouse. High-Value produce Producing high-value vegetables and fruit is the best way to take advantage
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