Tunnel farming for off-season vegetable cultivation

Vegetables are a required source of vitamins, proteins, essential nutrients and carbohydrates for a balanced diet. In the mid-hill region in Nepal, farmers are

limited to grow seasonal vegetables and are dependent on marketing mechanism of demand and supply. Growing off-season vegetables and fruits means improving the diet and increasing the household income. In the absence of storage infrastructure and vegetable processing industries, off-season vegetable farming is the only viable option that can add value to the farmers’ produce. Temperature fluctuations during summer make the vegetable crop susceptible to insects, pests and diseases and similarly, cold temperature during winter create favourable

Conditions for diseases. The tunnels offer protection to vegetables crops both in summer and in winter. The tunnel farming offers maximum crop yields, better maintenance of the fertility of land, controlled temperature and humidity, protection from wild animals and insects and better water conservation.

With off-season vegetable tunnel cultivation, one farmer can earn around USD.3000-USD.4000 per annum depending upon the kinds of vegetable and market demand. Initial investment for one family is USD.220.