Protected cultivation (greenhouses, tunnels) extends seasons 6–12 months and increases yields 3–5x over field crops. Initial investment is high but returns are strong.
Greenhouse Types & Costs
| Type | Initial Cost | Annual Operating | Yield Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic tunnel (DIY) | 20–50k/ha | 3–5k/ha | 2–3x |
| Shade net house | 100–150k/ha | 5–10k/ha | 1.5–2x |
| Glass/aluminum greenhouse | 300–500k/ha | 10–20k/ha | 3–5x |
Payback period: 2–3 years for simple tunnels; 4–5 years for glass structures
What Greenhouses Enable
- Off-season production: Grow winter lettuce in Jan–Feb (3x field price)
- Pest exclusion: Netting blocks insects; 50–70% less pesticide needed
- Water conservation: Drip irrigation + covered soil = 40–50% water savings
- Yield increase: 2–3x density possible + faster growth cycles
- Quality improvement: Reduced disease, cleaner produce → premium prices
Greenhouse Profitability (100 m² plastic tunnel)
Setup: 20–30k PKR Annual operating: 500–1,000 PKR Crops/year: Lettuce (3 cycles × 15 t/ha = 1.5 t per 100m²) + tomato (1 cycle × 25 t/ha = 2.5 t per 100m²)
| Crop | Output | Price | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce (3x) | 1.5 t | 50–100 PKR/kg | 75–150k |
| Tomato (1x) | 2.5 t | 30–60 PKR/kg | 75–150k |
| Total | — | — | 150–300k |
| Minus operating | — | — | ~130–280k net |
| Annual ROI | — | — | 430–1,400% |
Crop Rotation in Greenhouse
| Month | Crop | Yield |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | Tomato (transplant in Dec) | 1.2 t |
| Apr–May | Lettuce | 0.3 t |
| June–Aug | Cucumber | 1.0 t |
| Sept–Oct | Basil/herbs | 0.2 t |
| Nov–Dec | Tomato prep + lettuce | 0.3 t |
Total/100m²/year: ~3.0 t fresh vegetables
Related Guides
Design your greenhouse layout using our crop calendar.
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