Adopting greenhouse farming, also known as controlled environment farming, involves farmers growing crops in an enclosed structure to properly control optimal growing conditions. The increasing temperatures globally have led to dry climate and as result decrease in global food production. To address these problems in regions affected by dry climates and water scarcity, farmers in these areas are actively seeking sustainable farming techniques that can meet their specific farming requirements.
Adopting greenhouse farming in such dry areas provides an alternative farming solution. Greenhouse farming, as a sustainable farming practice, helps mitigate the problems associated with rising temperatures. This enables the cultivation of crops in dry areas with minimal environmental stress. Humans have long relied on dry and irrigated farming as food production techniques in dry climates and during the off-season. The goal is to supplement food production in these areas. Regardless of sustainable nature of dry irrigated land, they still suffer adverse effects as result of continued rise in temperature, which present challenges to food security.
By adopting greenhouse farming in coastal areas with advanced technologies such as controlled temperatures, controlled watering systems, nutrient management systems, and controlled humidity farmers benefit in various ways. For example create an artificial atmosphere that allow year-round crop production, grow various crops, and lastly meet market demand on time.
What is a greenhouse?
Greenhouses are man-made structures designed for regulating climatic condations. They are also adapted to suit growing conditions for crops optimally while reducing water usage and dependence on shifting climatic changes.
Various types of greenhouse farming techniques have been developed to cater to different types of crops. This is because different crops require different growing conditions particularly in dry areas as technologies continue to advance in the field of Agriculture.
Greenhouse farming has several advantages in farming in dry areas:
Year-round food production.
Farmers who adopt greenhouse farming have the additional advantage of producing food throughout the year. This is because food production in a greenhouse does not rely on weather conditions. Moreover, food production under greenhouse conditions allows farmers to enjoy good prices during the off-season since most of the farmers engage in production during the rainy season.
Adopting greenhouse farming reduces water consumption.
Greenhouse farming is one of the most important aspects of sustainable farming. Normally water and nutrients in the greenhouse are supplied through a drip irrigation system that minimizes water loss in evaporation and ensures precise water usage in contrast to open field farming. This is the most important factor to consider when helping farmers to adopt greenhouse farming in dry areas.
Greenhouse structures protect the crops from adverse weather conditions.
Dry areas are prone to extremely high temperatures and water shortages that can hinder normal crop physiological processes, leading to stunted growth or death of the crops. In additional dry areas due to a lack of trees that can act as protective shields against strong winds, crops under open fields are prone to heavy damage in comparison to crops under greenhouse conditions.
Adopting greenhouse farming in dry areas reduces cases of diseases and pest infestation.
Another major problem that affects crop production in dry areas is an attack on crops by diseases and pests, problems being navigated by climatic changes. The enclosed greenhouse structure can minimize the number of pests inside the structure. Furthermore, with limited movement in and out of the structure, the risks of bringing in contaminants such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses are limited.
By adapting greenhouse farming in dry areas, farmers can enjoy increased food production.
Greenhouse designs for hot climates are built in a way that optimal crop growth conditions for crops are met. In such conditions, plants are not stressed physiologically; therefore they focus their energy on growth and productivity. In addition, the ability to grow more frequently, with high-quality harvest without interruptions is another key benefit of adopting greenhouse farming in dry areas.
Reduce energy costs.
Greenhouses are built with transparent materials that allow sunlight to pass through during the day. Therefore, greenhouse farming depends on natural light from the sun during the day.
Increased profitability.
By adopting greenhouse farming in dry areas, farmers can increase their income by growing high-value crops that are susceptible to harsh climatic conditions. Furthermore, greenhouse farming allows farmers to extend the growing season, therefore growing more crops than open-field farming.
What type of greenhouse to set up in dry areas?
Dry climates pose a great challenge in food production that requires a more innovative and sustainable approach to help the farmers in dry areas. With day-to-day global temperature rising, water scarcity become more and more dominant. To try, and overcome this challenge, various innovations have been made to develop a suitable greenhouse structure to suit dry areas.
Semi-closed greenhouse:
In the year 2018, the semi-closed greenhouse was discovered. According to (De Zwart 2011) semi semi-closed greenhouse is only used during dry periods. This structure has since emerged as the most effective way of handling problems faced by farmers in dry areas.
What are the advantages of a semi, semi-closed greenhouse in dry areas?
It allows controlled distribution of CO2.
Semi-closed greenhouses are designed with CO2 sleeves that permit CO2 distribution into the surroundings effectively. This important aspect, since low CO2 can slow down the process of photosynthesis, which in turn reduces crop growth and development.
Effective cooling system.
High temperatures within the greenhouse can lead to adverse effects on crops. In addition to supplying CO2 within the greenhouse, sleeves also act as a distribution channel for fresh and cooled air. This enables the maintenance of optimal temperature inside the greenhouse.
Increased energy efficiency.
Semi-closed greenhouse, as discussed above, reduces temperature variation, which is critical in dry climates. In addition, the cooling system is significant in maintaining adequate temperatures.
Overpressure to prevent insects in the greenhouse.
A semi-closed greenhouse offers good control of pests.
Minimal maintenance.
Semi-closed greenhouse does not demand a lot of maintenance from the farmers as opposed to other types of greenhouses.
Frequently asked questions.
What is a greenhouse?
Greenhouses are man-made structures designed for hot climates and are adapted to suit growing conditions for crops optimally while reducing water usage and overdependence on shifting climatic changes.
What are the advantages of greenhouse farming in dry areas?
- Year-round food production.
2. Reduce water consumption.
3. Protect crops from adverse weather conditions.
4. Reduce pests and disease infestation.
5. Increased profitability.
6. Increased productivity
7. Reduces energy costs.
What kind of greenhouse to set in dry areas?
Semi-closed greenhouse.
What are the advantages of a semi, semi-closed greenhouse?
- Controlled distribution of CO2.
2. Effective cooling system.
3. Increased energy efficiency
4. Overpressure to prevent insects in the greenhouse.
5. Minimal maintenance.
Conclusion.
In conclusion adopting greenhouse farming in dry areas offers an alternative way of mitigating problems faced by farmers in dry zones. Firstly adopting greenhouses with advanced technologies such as drip irrigation systems, the challenge of water shortage can be overcome. Secondly, greenhouse farming also comes with additional advantages such as extended growing seasons since the crops are independent of shifting climatic conditions. Finally this lead to increased productivity and profitability. With proper care planning, adaptation, and proper education, farmers in dry zones can get apple advantages of greenhouse farming. This will finally lead to food security in our nation.
REFERENCES
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/semi-closed-greenhouse-stauffer-vincent.
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