Economics of Naturally Ventilated Greenhouse (SVBPU Model) for Tomato Production in Northern Plain of India

Four hybrids of tomato crop were grown successfully under naturally ventilated greenhouse designed and developed in the department of Agric. Engg. & Food Tech., SVBPU & T, Meerut. Best quality fruit yield of 12.6 kg/m² was harvested from Naveen 2000 hybrid of tomato and the crop was 98% virus free. The greenhouse performed well for off season vegetable cultivation. The higher and early yield of vegetables inside green house was mainly because of higher temperature upto 6°C-11°C observed during winter season and reduction in temperature upto 3°C-9°C observed during summer season. Fruit borer and vector white fly were minimized using polyhouse structure and pesticides viz., endosuphan and rogar @ 0.5 mil/l of water. The B: C ratio, pay bach period, cost of cultivation/m², and net return/m² were worked out as 1.92, 3 yrs, Rs. 79/-and Rs. 721-, respectively. It is clear from all the financial criteria, the greenhouse vegetable cultivation projects worth making the investment.