Polyhouse farming a boon for flower, vegetable growers in Bijnor

  • | Sunday | 22nd July, 2018

Bijnor: Polyhouse or greenhouse farming is gradually gaining popularity among both farmers and those with green fingers. Besides this, farmers have to spend money on growing crop as well. Earlier, around 15 farmers had set up polyhouses, while this time around, 40 more farmers had applied for getting a subsidy. The subsidy is given not only on polyhouses but also on the crop,” Malik added. The material lets sunlight in for photosynthesis and plant growth, while reducing detrimental organisms from affecting the crop.

Bijnor: Polyhouse or greenhouse farming is gradually gaining popularity among both farmers and those with green fingers. Government, under the aegis of the under National Horticulture Mission, is also encouraging this technique by offering 50% subsidy on polyhouse structure and cost of production of the crop.This was apparent when a total of 18 polyhouse farming schemes were recently approved by the local administration in Bijnor.This technique of farming is practiced for crops with a low height and has proved to be a boon for cultivating flowers and vegetables. These are grown in house-like structures that are covered with transparent to translucent polyethylene. The material lets sunlight in for photosynthesis and plant growth, while reducing detrimental organisms from affecting the crop. The plants can be grown in a controlled environment, wherein artificial lighting is also used to extend photo-period. This reduces pest and weed stress, extends growing season and more plants per square foot of ground. Use of drip irrigation in a polyhouse saves at least 40% of water normally required.Farmers in Bijnore are now growing flowers like gerbera, rose and lily and vegetables like capsicum, tomato, cucumber, pumpkin in these polyhouses. The adoption of this technique has helped them multiply their income.Akhilesh Chaudhary who has set up two polyhouses at Agari village, 4 km from district headquarters, is growing flowers like gerbera, lilium and carnations and getting a handsome income.Imran Khan of Harsaranpur in Najibabad tehsil, is growing roses for the past one year and is already reaping the benefits. Former chairman of the district panchayat, Udayan Veera, is growing vegetables like capsicum in his polyhouse.Not just farmers, people like Himanshu Tyagi, 37, an MBA graduate, quit his job to take up polyfarming. He said, “I have built four polyhouses on 10 bighas of land. It cost me a total of Rs 1 crore to build these four polyhouses. Half the cost was taken care of because of the subsidy. I have grown roses in two polyhouses and capsicum in the others over the past two years.”Talking with TOI, senior horticulture inspector Narpal Malik said, “Farmers can increase their crop production by 10 to 12 times due ot polufarming. Farmers are catching on fast. Earlier, around 15 farmers had set up polyhouses, while this time around, 40 more farmers had applied for getting a subsidy. Out of these, 18 new projects have been sanctioned by the government recently.“Farmers can set up a polyhouse over a 4,000 sq metre plot at the cost of Rs 33.76 lakh. Normally, one square metre area is covered with poly material at the rate of Rs 844. Besides this, farmers have to spend money on growing crop as well. The subsidy is given not only on polyhouses but also on the crop,” Malik added.

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