Indian pilot project successful: Capsicums cultivated in Saidabad greenhouse

According to an article in The Times of India, authorities of the district horticulture department have been able to successfully cultivate a highly improved variety of capsicums at the greenhouse set up at Dudwa village of Saidabad block. The objective of cultivating capsicum at greenhouse was to offer controlled conditions for the growth of different varieties of vegetables.

Officials said that the first greenhouse of the district was set up at Saidabad block for protective cultivation of highly improved vegetables and after this, work for setting up two more greenhouses was in the final phase at Holagarh block of the district.

District horticulture officer PK Shukla told TOI, "Initially, we cultivated capsicum in around 1000 square metres at Saidabad greenhouse and after the vegetables, cultivation of flowers would be undertaken." He said two greenhouses at Holagarh would be set up shortly at around 1,000 square meters each shortly each green house costs around Rs 9.35 lakh.

"Saidabad greenhouse is made up of materials like, a glass and plastic roof. It heats up because of incoming visible solar radiation from the sun which is further absorbed by plants, soil, and other articles present inside the structure. Air warmed by the heat from hot interior surfaces is retained in the structure by the roof and wall," he explained. The glass used for the greenhouse works as a barrier to air flow, and its effect is to trap energy within the structure. The air that is warmed near the ground is prevented from rising indefinitely and flowing away, he added.

Shukla said, "After setting up the greenhouses, other vegetables like carrots, peppers, cucumbers, beans, eggplants, melons, squash and tomatoes will be cultivated. Apart from these, the department has also decided to cultivate varieties of flowers like marigold and lavender inside the greenhouse."

"Officials have informed farmers and vegetable growers about tips that are useful in vegetable and flower cultivation so that they could get a better yield with less investment," He added

Agricultural experts here said cultivating fruits, flowers and vegetables in the greenhouse all year-round requires maintaining a favourable temperature inside the greenhouse for the plants. A "warm" greenhouse must maintain a minimum temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit and one can also grow many food crops in a cool greenhouse by keeping the temperature lower. This allows most fruit and vegetables to grow all year-round. In summer months, the warm greenhouse must be cooled to maintain a temperature under 100 degrees Fahrenheit to continue growth. Any fruits or vegetables, like tomatoes, stop growing once the air temperature reaches 100 degrees or higher.

In the current scenario, greenhouses have been a popular mode among vegetable growers even in small towns as vegetable and flowers growers are well-acquainted with the growing techniques. An official claimed, "People are well aware of the advantages of greenhouses and the vegetable growers have been approaching the department to set up greenhouses in their farms and fields too."

Source: Times of Indiaa