Operation in Turkey

PHOTO 5.4 Hydroponic Farming in West Bank and Gaza

a. Tomatoes growing in hydroponic pipes b. Training schoolgirls in West Bank and Gaza in hydroponic pipe farming

Photographs © Applied Research Institute–Jerusalem. Used with permission from Applied Research Institute–Jerusalem. Further permission required for reuse.

TABLE 5.3 Variable Costs of a 1,035 Square Meter Hydroponic

Cucumber Production Operation in Turkey

Operation Total cost ($) Share of cost (%)

growing medium preparation (labor) (42 hours) 65 3.9 Fertilizing (labor) (18 hours) 32 1.9 Calcium nitrate (82 kg) 69 4.1 Ammonium nitrate (17 kg) 46 2.8 potassium nitrate (163 kg) 127 7.6 magnesium sulfate (84 kg) 81 4.8 iron (4 kg) 74 4.4 phosphoric acid (46 l) 76 4.5 nitric acid (66 l) 58 3.4 micro element (48 l) 47 2.8 planting (labor) (32 hours) 28 1.7 seedling (3,150 seeds) 354 21.1 irrigation (labor) (35 hours) 36 2.1 electricity (98 kwh) 45 2.7 pruning and training (labor) (40 hours) 51 3.0 Fungicide and insecticide application (labor) (4 hours) 38 2.3 Fungicide and insecticide 174 10.4 yellow trap (5 kg) 12 0.7 glue (for traps) (4 tubes) 10 0.6 harvest (labor) (270 hours) 98 5.8 wrapping (labor) (76 hours) 41 2.4 plastic wrapping (13 kg) 32 1.9 transport 85 5.1

Total variable costs 1,679 100.0 Per square meter 1.62

Source: Engindeniz 2004. Note: kg = kilograms; kWh = kilowatthours; l = liters.