A greenhouse is a structure that allows control of environmental factors to some extent such as temperature, humidity,lighting,air movement and pest/diseases.
Types of Greenhouses
1. Post and Rafter Greenhouse
2. Quonset
3. Gothic
4. A-frame
Material options for greenhouse Framework
Aluminium, Steel, plastic,wood, combination
Site selection for the technology
- Flat to Gently sloping
- Adequate lighting from the sun
- Accessible and reliable water source
- Well drained site
- Stable and workable soils/use tubes where the situation is not practical
- Safe from lines of strong winds
- Access to source of heat in the temperate zones
- Proximity to storage/processing area
Greenhouse design Considerations
- Accessibility to cost effective materials
- Ability to achieve optimum temperatures
- Structural stability-shape,height, length, width,footing and wind,
- Roof drainage- slant slope 22-28 degrees
- Air circulation-10% of wall area is left for netting
- Desired flexibility in crops to be grown
- Expected level of mechanization
Materials for Greenhouse Covers
1. Plastic films-clear or green/yellow
2. Glass
3. Fibre glass
4. Rigid double wall plastics
Note:The polythene covers scatter light(diffuse)which is beneficial to the upper leaves .The polythene cover is also cost effective to the small scale farmer compared to all other covers for the technology.
Suppliers of Greenhouse Technology Materials in Kenya
1. Amiran (K ) Ltd
2. Agro-irrigation Ltd
3. Hort-Pro/Irrico Ltd
4. Agro-Tunnel International
5. G-North & Son Ltd
6. African Hydroponics
7. Irritec & Siplast-Unifresh
8. Charles gerald Ld
9. Belbar Engineers
Green House Farming Technology
This technology is widely practiced in Israel
- The system increases agricultural output
- Economizes on space
- Saves irrigation water
- Improves farming income
- Improves food security
- The technology reduces crop pest and disease
- Allows growing of crops not suited to the region due to climate modification.
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| Strawberry in a Greenhouse |
When operated correctly a greenhouse can give fresh produce throughout the year regardless of the season. The capacity to carefully control the temperature and humidity are important advantages of this farming system. Greenhouse system enables the use of modern technology such as hydroponics which involves growing plants in soil-less media, in a liquid which can be water infused with specialized nutrient mixes. This allows plants to grow larger and faster than normal, helping to maximize efficiency. The main disadvantage of greenhouse farming is high cost of buildings construction and maintenance, which in
While this technology offers numerous advantages, proper techniques are necessary to avoid the pitfalls of the technology. If you manage your project well all the year round, you'll need to prepare for the hazards of each season. In hot season cross-ventilation system is required. Passive ventilation with exhaust openings cut both high and low on the walls may provide sufficient air circulation for small structures. However, some greenhouses require a system of fans to keep the air circulating during the hot season due to high temperatures.
In cool weather the circulation will be unnecessary in most cases. Soil fertility management practices are vital and they include crop rotation, regular application of compost, mulching, leaving the soil fallow to improve and maintain fertility. Apply fertilizers according to the soil requirements and the crops to be grown following soil analysis report. Fumigation or entire change of soil may be required before planting to clear crop pests and diseases. Fumigation involves saturating the greenhouse soil with pesticides like Dioxysan which releases fumes of Chlorine dioxide, (CL2) to control soil pest and diseases. In conclusion this is a farming technology whose time is ripe in Kenya.
Our Products and Services
We offer the following products and services at affordable fees.
- Agribusiness plans preparation
- Agribusiness information e-manuals
AGRIBUSINESS PLANS PREPARATION
An Agribusiness Plan is the road-map to success in any farming business. An Agribusiness Plan preparation is therefore crucial for success of any farming business. This is the document which will support your agribusiness to grow, seek funding from financial institutions and/or donors, and monitor performance over a period of time for continuous improvement. Agribusiness plan is a management tool which will help you to avoid expensive mistakes in your farming business. FAILURE TO PLAN IS PLANNING TO FAIL. MAKE SURE YOU PREPARE AN AGRIBUSINESS PLAN BEFORE STARTING YOUR FARMING BUSINESS.The second important milestone is to get the right technical information.
AGRIBUSINESS INFORMATION E-MANUALS
c) Passion fruit farming e-manual
d) Strawberry farming e-manual
g) Tomatoes farming e-manual
h) Capsicum farming e-manual
i) Greenhouse farming e-manual
j) Oyster mushroom Farming e-manual
k) Tissue culture Bananas farming e-manual
l) Upland arrowroot, Cassava, Sweet potatoes and yams e-manual
m) Poultry Broilers, layers and improved indigenous/ Kienyeji e-manual
n) Value addition and Agro-processing e-manual:The e-manual contains Manufacture of Fruit juices, yogurt, Fruit Jam, Small scale ice-cream making ,Tomato sauce processing, bread baking & cakes baking, cake decoration, vegetable solar drying, Banana crisps and flour processing, cassava fermenting and flour processing, Soya milk and peanut butter processing.
Email yagrein@gmail.com for more information
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