Are you wondering how to get started in organic farming in your greenhouse? To do this, you must know what it is, starting with selecting the type of plant you want to grow and have a detailed plan.
In addition, you also have to find out about the advantages and disadvantages of growing in a greenhouse.
Organic production in the greenhouse in the TWENTY-first century
The greenhouse cultivation has been very popular in all over the world. It all began in the THIRTEENTH century, being a way to meet the nutritional demands of royalty. By that time, the people also used it as a form of cultivation of medicinal plants.
However, the science of growing in a greenhouse is extended to the universities so that the researchers could develop their studies. Today, with the advancement of technology in the agricultural industry, the use of the crop in a greenhouse is within the reach of all.
In addition, at the same time the demand for green products begins to grow, an increasing number of farmers dispose of their fertilizers and are passed to the ecological agriculture.
It is good to know that more and more people are passing to the food produced in an environmentally friendly way. Therefore, this opens up more opportunities for those who want to start a farming business.
On the other hand, it is also advisable to invest in a business of greenhouses. Especially, if you're in an area where the plants tend not to thrive. In this sense, a greenhouse will help you to create an ideal environment for their crops.
What are the advantages of organic farming in the greenhouse? Greenhouses offer producers the control of biosecurity, the techniques of organic farming and the equipment for production high-quality and stable.
What is it and what standards must be met to achieve this? Continue reading.
Features of organic farming in the greenhouse
The production of vegetables in sheltered conditions (plastic tunnel or greenhouse) is probably the system of agricultural production is more intensive in conventional conditions as eco-friendly.
The high yields of organic farming in the greenhouse get on base with a high level of energy use. The heating of greenhouses is responsible for a large part of the consumption of energy, mainly fossil fuel.
On the other hand, the organic production in the greenhouse to reduce the risk of fungal diseases, requires a control of the moisture. This implies a higher consumption of energy compared to conventional production.
Energy consumption in greenhouses organic
In this sense, the use of renewable energy is technically feasible. However, their economic sustainability remains a subject of debate.
In addition, it is often preferred to the use of fossil fuels because of the CO2 produced by combustion can be used to enrich the atmospheric air (up to 1200 ppm or parts per million). This is a significant increase of the productivity.
The energy consumption in greenhouses high technology depends on many factors, but mainly for the insulation of the greenhouse. Another important aspect is the difference between the internal temperature required and the outside temperature.
Of course, different crops have different needs from heat. For example, leafy vegetables, more resistant to low temperatures, compared to other vegetables cultivation usual, such as tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, or eggplant.
The greenhouses without heating have a lower power consumption. However, they have a productivity relatively minor because the culture conditions can't be optimized as in the greenhouses with heating.
In addition, a widespread concern and growing in the whole of Europe is related to the high amount of fungicides based on copper that are often sprayed in the greenhouses without heating. This is particularly true in the mediterranean regions, and is the cause of the pollution by copper from food and soil.
In any case, both the greenhouses organic, with and without heating are characterized by systems of production intensified.
Rules and regulations for organic production in greenhouses
According to Regulation (EC) no. 834/2007 and Regulation (EC) no 889/2008, the approach of the soil and the management of the fertility of the soil is what discriminates the more conventional systems of systems of organic production.
This is based on the section "considering" to Regulation (EC) No 889/2008, that says the following: organic plant production is based on the nutrition of plants primarily through the soil ecosystem.
Another requirement is that only the crops in land that can be labeled as organic. Also, the use of fertilizers and organic amendments fixed other boundaries between the production of conventional and organic.
Regulations for the production of ecological farming
In the European Union, article 5 of Regulation (EC) no 834/2007 on the production and labelling of organic products organic products states that "organic agriculture is based on the following specific principles":
- The maintenance and the improvement of life and the natural fertility of the soil, the stability and soil biodiversity preventing and combating the compaction and soil erosion, and the nutrition of the plants primarily through the soil ecosystem.
- The minimisation of the use of non-renewable sources and non-agricultural.
- The recycling of wastes and by-products of plant and animal origin as input in plant products and livestock.
- The consideration of the ecological balance of local or regional at the time of making production decisions.
- The maintenance of plant health by preventative measures. As, for example, the choice of species and varieties suitable and resistant to pests and diseases, the proper rotation of crops, the mechanical and physical methods and the protection of natural enemies of pests.
Importance of substitution of inputs in organic farming in the greenhouse
Unlimited use of inputs from outside the farm, often overrules the agronomic practices and ecological principles enshrined in the european Regulation on organic production. This is especially so in systems of organic production more intensified.
In production systems, mainly based on the substitution of inputs, soil fertility is managed only by the use of fertilizers out of exploitation.
The nutritional needs of the plants are handled on a case-by-case basis "by substituting" the synthetic inputs outside of the operation (normally used in conventional) by organic inputs from outside the farm.
This method of production is based on the application of products allowed by the rules of organic farming (and can be certified as organic). However, it is often considered in the ecological agriculture as an imitation of the methods of production of conventional.
The main difference with respect to a system of production, conventional is the simple replacement of a fertilizer and synthetic for a fertilizer that is organic certified.
Organic production offers producers a total control over their crops. In addition, the greenhouse provides a supportive environment for the management of organic production, and provides a structure that facilitates the traceability.
Protection against diseases in organic crops
Greenhouses offer producers the ability to create your own environment of cultivation. Therefore, allow you to manage all aspects of the production. Greenhouses protect crops from a number of pests and diseases, extreme weather conditions and from outside contamination, such as pesticide drift.
Water treatment systems
The organic production is designed to respect the environment. First of all, is based on the organic waste and the natural minerals to provide adequate nutrition to the crops.
In a greenhouse can be easily installed systems for efficient and effective that facilitate the supply of nutrients and water recycling. In addition, allow a better irrigation management. The greenhouse also offers protected areas for all the necessary equipment to recycle the nutrients and the water.
Protection against external elements
Organic farmers can't use the traditional chemical pesticides. This can be a challenge when you produce a crop field.
One of the advantages of organic farming in the greenhouse is that it offers more protection against external elements. For example, from pollution, diseases and pests, allowing the producer to use little or no pesticides.
Equipment for greenhouses
Greenhouses ensures a higher productivity of the plants and the possibility of produce throughout the year. The waterproof structure allows the installation of a system of CO2 enrichment, which improves the quality and productivity of crops.
You can also install a lighting reinforcement and a heating system to increase the annual production.
Rules of organic farming
Organic farming requires compliance to a strict framework of procedures, standards and accreditations. In this sense, the greenhouses are a great solution for organic producers. What is the reason? They provide a total control over the climate, irrigation, organic fertilization and the management of the team.
Advantages of organic cultivation in the greenhouse
If you are interested in growing plants organically is possible that you wonder what is the best method of cultivation.
Apart from the traditional methods to the outdoors it is advisable to take into account another option: the organic farming in the greenhouse. You may never have tried greenhouses organic method of cultivation of vegetables, fruits, and other plants. For this reason you may not be sure whether or not the cultivation method that's right for you.
However, the organic production in the greenhouse has its advantages, which include those listed below.
You can totally control what you expose your plants
If you're interested in organic gardening, it may be because you are concerned about the different threats to which they may be exposed plants. Of course, if you focus on the organic farming in the open air, you will probably need a lot of care with such things as fertilizers.
However, you can't fully control what they are exposed to the plants. For example, if you are exposed to toxins from the air.
Whether you grow your organic plants in a greenhouse, you can have basically a full control of what they are exposed to the plants. You can bring your own organic soil, and you can be careful with the cleanliness and purity of the water you use to water your plants.
You don't have to worry about the toxins in the air are a problem. Not that your plants are exposed to contaminated groundwater. This can be a good way of making sure that your plants are really eco-friendly and safe to eat.
You can reduce the problems related to pests
A big problem that some people have with organic gardening is that it can be a challenge to fight with the pest. After all, dealing with pests it is a natural and normal part of agriculture.
However, this can be a major problem if you are growing ecologically. This is because you can not only purchase and use of a pesticide standard to get rid of or prevent pests.
The good news is that the organic production in the greenhouse will allow you to keep your plants safe from pests. All of this without having to use harsh chemicals. This can help you to increase your chances of success with your plants. That is to say, you can make a lot of things and can completely eliminate the need to use pesticides.
Present and future of organic production in the greenhouse
According to some stakeholders, the organic production is moving toward a new stage in which it is globally widespread. In addition, it contributes, in a perspective agro-ecological, to solve the global challenges of agrifood systems.
At the same time, the ecological production of emissions has been the subject of debate. The cause is the introduction and wide dissemination in the European Union, some of the production systems. This can affect consumer trust in organic food.
There is a lack of specific standards for the production of crops in sheltered conditions in the existing regulation on organic production (Reg (EC) No 834/2007 and (EC) No 889/2008). Therefore, this has led the member States to adapt the general rules to their own climatic conditions and geographical position.
A long debate that has lasted a decade and involving all actors of the sector of organic production. This has led to the identification of the most controversial issues and proposals to overcome them.
The concern related to some production systems very heightened level has led to a petition of applied research for alternative systems of organic production in the greenhouse. And more recently, through the introduction of specific rules in the new regulation on organic production (EU) 2018/848.
Finally, it has been achieved that important aspects of organic production, which have not been taken into account during the last decade, are now common criteria for the certification of organic production.
This is all about the topic of today, the ecological agriculture in the greenhouse. We hope it has been interesting and useful, and that you have focused on a possible future organic production in the greenhouse. Until the next post.