The greenhouses currently being set up in various locations of San Martín de los Andes are of the macro-tunnels type, built in white structural pipe, with galvanised wire and thermal Agropol nylon cover.
This programme was developed by the Ministry of Tourism and Production in the Municipality of San Martín de los Andes by the Bureau of Rural Development, and funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries through the Department of Family Farming. It is coordinated by the Bureau of Rural Co-Management Organisations
According to experts, producers may register increases from 100 to 110% in the yield with the use of macro-tunnels. This figure includes the production that is usually lost in open field plantations given their vulnerability to the effects of the weather.
The main benefits of this type of greenhouses are: a scheduled harvest; crops obtained outside normal production times, resulting in better prices; protection from cold, rain, frost, wind and snow; a substantial reduction in operating costs by improving plant health; stable air and soil temperatures, allowing for better root development; better quality fruits and, finally, significantly higher yields.
"This is an excellent project in which all of us are involved. The state provides the greenhouses, the producer supplies his/her work and wisdom, and the people have access to fruit and vegetables of unbeatable quality. Additionally, tourists not only purchase our products, but also get to know a different way to work the land," said Andrés Freisztav, undersecretary of production in San Martín de los Andes.
The production from these greenhouses will soon be available at the Pocahullo Producers Fair, which is held on Saturdays from 9-13 hours in the city of San Martin de los Andes.
Source: energypress.com.ar