Polytunnel

Polytunnels on Balhungie Farm, Angus

A polytunnel (also known as a polyhouse, hoop greenhouse or hoophouse, or high tunnel) is a tunnel made of polyethylene, usually semi-circular, square or elongated in shape. The interior heats up because incoming solar radiation from the sun warms plants, soil, and other things inside the building faster than heat can escape the structure. Air warmed by the heat from hot interior surfaces is retained in the building by the roof and wall. Temperature, humidity and ventilation can be controlled by equipment fixed in the polytunnel.

Uses

Polytunnels can be used to provide a higher temperature and/or humidity than that which is available in the environment but can also protect crops from intense heat, bright sunlight, strong winds, hailstones and cold waves. This allows fruits and vegetables to be grown at times usually considered off season. Every factor influencing a crop can be controlled in a polytunnel. Polytunnels are often used in floriculture and nurseries as the economic value of flowers can justify their expense.

Temperate regions

Polytunnels are mainly used in temperate regions in similar ways to greenhouses and cloches (row covers). Modern designs allow sowing and harvesting machines to move inside the structures so as to automate production. Polytunnels have had a significant effect on the production of strawberries in the United Kingdom. Other soft fruits such as raspberries and blackberries are also cultivated in the same way.

Other regions

A Missouri farmer inspecting an early tomato crop in a hoop house.

In a tropical climate, temperatures are prone to soar above all normal levels. In such cases, foggers/misters are used to reduce the temperature. This does not increase the humidity levels in the poly house as the evaporated droplets are almost immediately ventilated to open air.

High-tech poly houses even have space-heating systems as well as soil-heating systems to purify the soil of unwanted viruses, bacteria, and other organisms. The recent Indo-Israel collaboration at Gharunda, near Karnal is an excellent example of Polyhouse farming taking place in a developing country.

If developing countries were to develop a special incentive program solely for fruit-and-vegetable farmers, especially in demographically large nations like India, then the migration rate from rural to urban areas (as well as the loss of horticultural and fruit/vegetable farmers) to urban areas may be reduced. This brings a huge potential to improve the farming sector, which is key to long-term economic stability. The small polytunnels used by each farmer in each village promote the cultivation of vegetables both on-season and off-season, and would actually help to moderate the market rate for fruit and vegetables in long run, on a year-round basis, and would help to satisfy local market needs.

For example, in India, the inability to grow tomatos generates price spikes during the monsoon season. This is seen as an ideal time to grow tomatos in polytunnels, since they providing the ideal climate for the crop. In India, the Abhinav Farmers Club grows flowers and organic vegetables in polytunnels.[1]

Development

A US Department of Agriculture program is helping farmers install polytunnels. The program was announced at the US White House garden in December, 2009.[2]

Farmers in Iraq are building these in increasing number and adding drip irrigation to grow tomatoes.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Bhattacharyya, Pramit (May 17, 2012). "Planting the seeds of prosperity". Livemint.com. HT Media. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
  2. ↑ Office of Communications: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) (December 16, 2009). "USDA to launch high tunnel pilot study to increase availability of locally grown foods" (Press release). Washington, DC.
  3. ↑ Tharp, Mike (July 17, 2009). "Once world's bread basket, Iraq now a farming basket case". McClatchyDC. The McClatchy Company.

External links

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