Polyhouse technology: How to get more production from vertical farming, what is its right method? Know from the expert

Polyhouse technology: From the climate to the soil of Bundelkhand, everything is not very suitable for farming. Both summer and winter are very intense here. There is not enough water for irrigation and the soil is also not very fertile. Banda Agricultural and Technology University is constantly making efforts to find out how farmers can increase their income through farming even in these difficult conditions. In this episode, the university is working with the aim of making polyhouse technology available to the farmers. With its help, farmers can get more production in less space as well as more than one crop at the same time.

What is polyhouse technology, vertical farming and how is it beneficial for farmers, University Professor and Head of Vegetable Science Department Dr. Rajiv Kumar Singh talked to Kisan of India correspondent Sarvesh Bundeli about this.

Vegetable production in polyhouse

Dr. Rajiv Kumar Singh says that the weather of Bundelkhand is very harsh. The temperature goes up to 48-50 degrees in summer and 2-3 degrees in winter. There is also a problem of water and the soil is also not very good. To produce vegetables throughout the year in these difficult conditions, the university has built a polyhouse in a small area of ​​200 square meters under a project.

He tells that the farmers of his area are not adopting polyhouse right now, because the initial cost is a bit high, but now the government is giving subsidy up to 50 percent, due to which gradually farmers have started adopting it. Dr. Rajiv tells that he has done vertical farming of tomatoes in a naturally ventilated polyhouse. In which tomato plants grow upwards to a height of 15 to 20 feet. Cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, knol-khol crops have also been planted in between tomatoes, which have a very high market value.

Multiple crops at the same time

Dr. Rajeev Kumar says that by farming intensively like this, farmers get two or more crops at the same place at the same time. That means farmers get double benefit. He says that he has made preparations to harvest tomatoes throughout the year, for which tomato nursery is set up between 15th and 30th July. It is transplanted after 15th August. After about 70-75 days, the crop is ready for harvesting and fruits are available for 7-8 months. After that, preparations are made to plant the second crop, for which nursery is prepared in January-February and transplantation is done in March and crop is available by July.

Dr. Rajeev Kumar says that farmers will benefit from such planning in this small naturally ventilated polyhouse. He told how he has planted crops even in the area right at the edge of the polyhouse, which farmers usually leave. He has used all the space except one foot. Kumar has made a half-moon shape in the side space and has put tomato trees on top and has planted cabbage below. In this way, every corner of the polyhouse has been used. In today’s time where land is less, this method of farming will prove to be very effective.

Use of fertilizer

Dr. Rajeev Kumar further said that he has planted 6 plants per square meter. Nowadays land is less, so it is necessary to get more yield by planting densely. Organic farming is done as much as possible in the polyhouse. Instead of chemical pesticides, pesticides made from neem are used. A little chemical is used only when it is very necessary. Vermicompost is used for fertilizer. This production is for the children living in the hostel. That is why we do not use much chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Still, we get maximum yield by using organic products. 6-12 kg of fruit comes out from one plant. About 30 kg of fruit is obtained from one square meter.

Crop rotation is necessary in polyhouse technology

Rajiv Kumar tells that under vertical farming in polyhouse, he planted capsicum before tomato. Before that, he planted cucumber. He says that crop rotation is necessary, otherwise the soil can get spoiled due to many diseases.

Three crops of cucumber are obtained in a year. He advises farmers to cultivate such vegetables in polyhouse which fetch high prices, such as cherry tomato, broccoli etc. farmers can plant these crops. 

Irrigation technique and temperature control

Dr. Rajeev tells that the naturally ventilated polyhouse has an insect proof net, which has a rolling system, which can be opened. This brings in natural air. A drip system has been installed for water, which is automatic. It can be turned on anytime during the day as per the need. When the temperature is high, foggers are turned on, which reduces the temperature by 2-3 degrees and provides relief to the plants.

Production of vegetables through vertical farming

Dr. Rajeev says that Banda Agricultural University has also invented the technique of vertical farming on the roof of the house. In this, high value vegetables can be grown by tying a plastic bottle on a long rod or pillar on the roof.

Two crops in the same plant

Another special technique was seen in Banda Agricultural University in which both tomato and brinjal crops are grown in the same plant. Dr. Rajeev tells that the name of this special technique is Brimato. This will help farmers to know how to cultivate tomatoes and brinjals on the same plant. Such technology will help farmers to earn more income.

Training program for farmers

Dr. Rajeev tells that every year a Kisan Mela is organized in the university where farmers come and get new information. Apart from this, training is also given here under the project. Not only this, if any farmer comes and wants to take any special kind of training, then a training of 3, 5 or 7 days is also organized for them.

Difference between polyhouse and nethouse

Explaining the difference between polyhouse and nethouse, Rajeev Kumar says that this is a natural ventilated polyhouse which costs Rs 3.5 to 4 lakh. It has a system installed on all four sides so that you can open and close it from all sides. It is completely closed when it rains and when needed, it is opened so that air comes.

On the other hand, the cost of a net house is less and there is no facility of opening and closing it. It is a simple insect proof net of white colour, which is used to protect from viruses, made at a cost of up to Rs 3 lakh. It is used for such plants which are more prone to virus attack. Apart from this, there is a green shade net which costs even less. The one-time cost of setting up a polyhouse may be high, but it is useful for a long time. The polythene used in it lasts for 5 to 6 years.

Preparing a nursery

Dr. Rajeev tells that a nursery can be prepared in a tray of 98 compartments, in which compartments are made. Seedlings are prepared in it. One seed is put in each compartment, which produces 98 plants at a time. Plants are also prepared by sterilizing the soil.

Important points in polyhouse farming

Dr. Rajeev Kumar says about the things to be kept in mind while doing vertical farming in polyhouse-

– The biggest problem of Bundelkhand is that the water here is very salty. The land becomes white due to the water coming together. In such a situation, the crop production is less the next time farming is done. Therefore, it should be kept in mind that by removing it, the land should be made fertile by using vermicompost and cow dung manure as much as possible.

– The crop should always keep changing in the polyhouse. That is, once tomatoes are planted, the next time cucumber and then capsicum. In this way, crop rotation should be adopted.

-To stop the migration of youth from the area, Dr. Rajeev Kumar advises them to do farming in polyhouse. He says that if the youth start growing high value crops by making the structure of such polyhouse, then there will be good income.

Farming in Green Shade Net

Rajiv Kumar says that he has cultivated cucumber and red-green capsicum together under vertical farming in green shade net. This will give good income to farmers by cultivating cucumber and capsicum in less space. He says that after 15th July, nurseries of capsicum are made and transplantation is done from 15th to 30th August.

When the capsicum plants take root, cucumber is planted so that the cucumber plant comes up. Keep in mind that the crop being planted in the middle should come up sooner than the side crop, so that both get equal nutrition, light and air. Drip irrigation system has been used for irrigation. This ensures that water reaches the roots and the crop grows well. In this way, by doing vertical farming in polyhouse, farmers can get crops even out of season and can increase income by selling it at a good price.