A Basic Introduction to Polyhouse

A Basic Introduction to Polyhouse

As technology is evolving with every new day, we have seen drastic changes in the art of farming as well. Where traditional methods were thought to be sufficient for crop production, now they have little application and appeal towards consumers as the demand for off-season yields has seen a drastic increase. To answer all these questions and many more we found a common solution and that is a Polyhouse. Polyhouse has evolved the way of traditional farming in countries like India and Bangladesh and presented with new opportunities to get better and more yield while utilizing fewer resources.

Today in this article we will discuss Polyhouse, its basic introduction, and types, etc. We will also address any possible questions that you might have in mind regarding Polyhouse farming. We will be covering more topics on our blog regarding Polyhouse subsidies in India, Rajasthan subsidiary schemes, Poly house profit, and risk comparisons, and any other topic at our readers’ request. If you are a farmer and looking for a possible investment to yield more profit, polyhouse farming will be the best option for you to invest. This is the prime time as it is still a relatively new trend and in states like Rajasthan, there’s low competition with high scope.

This article will be your guide on all your basic questions about polyhouse. So, let’s start with the very basic concepts.

 What is a Polyhouse

A polyhouse is a type of specialized structure that utilizes the controlled climate condition for the growth of different plants and other farming needs. We use polythene sheets to cover the structure and separate the internal environment from that of the outside.

Size

The size of a polyhouse can range from a small-sized barn to that of very large buildings. It depends on your needs and the resources you have available for the construction of the polyhouse.

Material Used

Polyhouse used to utilize wooden frames to support the main structure. The modern-day polyhouses use many strengthened materials like G.I steel or aluminum rods to provide extra support and more strength. These materials make it possible for a polyhouse to stand in harsh weather conditions, even with a small size. These new polyhouses are most suitable for the harsh climate zones of India like Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The internal skeleton is then covered with polythene sheets to make sure that the internal heat and other climatic conditions can be altered and maintained without any external influence.

Greenhouse Vs Polyhouse

One of the questions that we get quite often is that what is the difference between a greenhouse and a polyhouse. Today we will make this clear and put this confusion to rest. A polyhouse is essentially a greenhouse. It can also be regarded as a type of greenhouse.

Traditionally the greenhouses were made with green-colored sheets to act as a roof. Then with advancement, we were introduced to more reliable plastic sources such as polythene. The success of this new polythene in a greenhouse as well as its low cost made it a material of choice. That is how this type of greenhouse got a new name, i.e., polyhouse.

 

Types of Polyhouse

With the current advancement, the business of polyhouse has taken some amazing shifts. There are dozens of different types of polyhouses based on the type of material used, their site, the yield taken from them, and so on. Mainly the polyhouse can be divided into two types. Here as this is a basic introduction to help you develop an understanding of polyhouse and develop some concepts on how it works, we will discuss the main two types.

Naturally ventilated Polyhouse

This is the most basic and traditional type of polyhouse. In this type, there is very minimal control of climatic change. Your plants and crops are mainly at the mercy of the climatic conditions prevailing outside. Although there are a few helping aids like fogger, drip irrigation system, ventilation control, and pest control system, they are still not enough to yield off-season crops.

Environmental controlled Polyhouse

They are the more sophisticated types of polyhouses. Fitted with some of the very useful added features including but not limited to, sunlight control, humidity, temperature, etc. These polyhouses prolong the crop period and you can also get some of the most exotic off-season varieties from them. Such polyhouses are also used in areas to produce crops that are otherwise uncultivatable in those regions.

What you can grow in a Polyhouse

These polyhouses are now used to cultivate almost anything under a synthetic roof. From off-season varieties of fruits to most exotic flowers, these polyhouses can yield any type of crop.

Mostly following varieties are obtained by utilizing these polyhouses

Fruit Crops

Strawberries, Raspberries, Citrus Fruit, Watermelon, Peach, Papaya, etc.

Herbs

Ginger and Turmeric are the most successful.

Flower Crops

Roses, Gerbera, Anthurium, Strelitzia, Carnations, Orchids, Chrysanthemum, Gladiolus, Marigold, etc.

Vegetables

Cabbage, Capsicum, Cauliflower, Chili, Tomatoes, Coriander, Onion, Bitter Gourd, Radish, Okra, etc.

Nursery Plantations

Ornamental indoor plants, Cacti, Colorful exotic plants, Miniature species, etc.

 

Advantages of Polyhouse Farming

Polyhouse farming is becoming the new norm of irrigation. It solved the biggest problems related to farming including those of desert farming as well as low water supply solutions.

 

Here are some of the most prominent advantages of polyhouse farming

  Crop Advantages

• You can grow off-season crops. Such crops can yield higher profits as they are in increased demand with little supply.
• You can enjoy a whole year yield of crops without having to wait for the season’s rotations.
• As you are controlling the factors like humidity, temperature, and sunlight, etc. There are very few chances of crop damage and loss.
• A drip irrigation system provides an effective solution for the scarcity of water supply. It is also more beneficial for crop growth.

Subsidiary and Cost Advantages

• In regions like Rajasthan, you can even avail subsidies for polyhouse farming. Here’s a link for more details on the subsidies available and form for the Rajasthan region,
• https://instapdf.in/rajasthan-application-form-for-subsidy-on-farm-implements/
• You can acquire a much greater yield by utilizing less space. As an estimate there can be an increase of 7-13% for different crops.
• Polyhouses need very little manual work which decreases the manpower require per crop, this can also help you cut down on expenses.

 

Quality and Quantity Advantages

• There is more control over pests and insects are your crops are less prone to lose due to them.
• The quality of the crop is relatively much higher.
• External environmental factors have little or no effect on the crops. Crops have a more favorable environment available for growth which eventually translates into higher profits.
• Fertilizer application becomes much easier, you can even use automated systems to makes sure each plant is getting a definite amount of fertilizer for optimum growth.
• Reduced cropping period helps farmers to get 2 or 3 corps per year.
• Polyhouse can have more efficient drainage and aeration mechanisms.
• More production of CO2 in a polyhouse is useful for plant growth.

 

Conclusion

If invested properly and managed well, these polyhouses can become your next big earning markets. They provide a convenient and more controlled way of farming so consequently; they have relatively low risk as compared to traditional farming. The need is to focus on training farmers to changes their traditional ways which will not only help them yield higher profits but will also boost up our economy. If utilized properly, polyhouse farming can get us enough yield to boost our agricultural exports.

 

This was all on the basic introduction of polyhouse farming. We will add more detailed articles on the advantages, disadvantages, and Do’s and Don’ts of polyhouse farming very soon. If you have any other questions regarding polyhouse farming or this article, feel free to let us know. You can even leave your quarries in the comment section below and we will be glad to help you out. Till then, peace.

 

Poly House FAQ

What are Poly Houses?

A polyhouse is a type of specialized structure that utilizes the controlled climate condition for the growth of different plants and other farming needs. We use polythene sheets to cover the structure and separate the internal environment from that of the outside.

How do I get a Polyhouse subsidy?

Poly house subsidy are provide Central Govt. and State Govt. Two Type of Subsidy Avalible. National Horticulture Board (NHB) & National Horticulture Mission (NHM) . National Horticulture Board (NHB) Will be provide 50% subsidy of total Project cost. Maximum subsidy will be provide 56 Lac. NHB provide 2-3 structure one customer. & National Horticulture Mission (NHM) Will be provide 50% subsidy of total Project cost. NHM provide 1 structure one customer.

What is the cost of Polyhouse ?

Polyhouse cost is 844 Rs. Per Sqm. This Price decided by National Horticulture Board (NHB)

What is Average Size of Poly house ?

The size of a polyhouse can range from a small-sized barn to that of very large buildings. It depends on your needs and the resources you have available for the construction of the polyhouse. Minimum 500 Sqm. To 8000 Sqm.