Introduction:

Protected cultivation practice is outlined as a

cropping technique where controlled micro-climate

influence the growth and development of a plant. With
the advancement in agriculture, several protected
cultivation practices has been adopted massively in
commercial farming. Among these protecting cultivation
practices, green house, Plastic house, arte fact house,
internet house and shade house etc. is useful.
Importance of protected cultivation:
Climate change is becoming an increasingly significant
global problem that can no longer be ignored. The main
underlying cause is anthropogenic, i.e., unsustainable use
of fossil fuels, forest degradation for industrialization,
and rapid urbanization with an overpopulation.

Indian economy is principally influenced by agriculture and allied

activities. After Green Revolution, several new biotic and
a biotic stress has emerged as a great challenge. Protected
cultivation technique reduces these stresses by providing complete
controlled condition. The increasing food demand compels to think
for protected cultivation. Greenhouse is that the most
functional methodology for achieving the objectives of protected
cultivation. Poly house based cultivation has become a vital policy
of Indian agriculture.
Type of protected structures :
i) Climate controlled greenhouse
Greenhouses are framed or inflated structures covered with
transparent or translucent material large enough to grow crops
under fully controlled environmental conditions to get optimum
growth and productivity. These are ideally suited for high value
crops like vegetables and flowers for round the year cultivation.
During summer, cooling pads and exhaust fans are provided in the
greenhouse to lower the temperature. During winter heaters are
provided to raise temperature. Night temperature is not allowed to
go down 12-130℃. Such greenhouses are expensive both in
construction and maintenance. Greenhouse vegetable production is
a highly intensive enterprise requiring substantial labour and strong
commitment, which restrict
the adoption of this technology.

ii) Zero energy naturally ventilated greenhouse

Naturally ventilated greenhouses are the protected structures where
no heating or cooling devices are provided for climate control. It is
naturally ventilated through insect proof netting mainly at the top
and sides also. They are simple and medium cost greenhouses
having a manually operated natural ventilation system. Such
greenhouses can be used successfully and efficiently for year
round growing of cucumber, tomato and Capsicum for 8-9 months
duration.
The basic prerequisite of implementing the technology depends
upon selection of appropriate design based on the climatic
conditions, availability of market and the type of vegetable crop.
Under arid and semi arid conditions maximum ventilation up to
40-50% is required to make the structure efficient and successful to
raise vegetable crops. Under extreme hot periods (May-July)
rooftops of the greenhouses should be covered with shade nets
(preferably with black colour) allowing a space between the shade
net and roof surface for air movement. Such greenhouses can be
equipped with low-pressure drip irrigation system to make them
energy efficient.
iii. Shade net house
Shade nets are perforated plastic materials used to reduce the solar
radiation and prevent scorching or wilting of leaves caused by
increased temperature. The basic objective of shade net is to
reduce radiation and temperature up to some extent during critical
summer months (May-Sept.). Shade nets are available in different
shading intensities ranging from 25-75%. Shade net houses are
suitable for the places where night temperature does not go below
15-180℃ generally temperature during day time is 28-300℃.
Black color shade nets are most efficient in reduction of
temperature compared to other colours like green, white or silver,
etc. as the black colour is the maximum absorbent of heat. Mostly
leafy vegetables like beet leaf and green coriander are preferred to
be grown under shade nets. Shade net houses are also suitable for
growing early cauliflower and radish during June to September
months.
iv) Insect-proof net house
It is a cheap and can be made as temporary or permanent structure.
The structure is cladded
with 40-50 mesh UV stabilized insect proof nylon or rust proof
metal net. The main purpose of
the structure is to provide barrier for the entry of harmful insect-
pest and vectors of diseases.
Insect proof net house vegetable cultivation minimizes the use of
pesticides in fresh vegetable
cultivation. This technology can be used for raising crops like
tomato, chilli, sweet pepper, etc.
but for growing these crops under insect proof net houses, it is
prerequisite to raise virus free
healthy seedlings of the crop either in the greenhouse or by
covering the nursery beds with
insect proof net. These structures can be fabricated with 40-50
mesh insect proof nylon net during critical summer months (April-
June) and with transparent plastic covering during critical winter
months (December-February) under arid and semiarid climatic
conditions.
Scopes of Protected Cultivation :
The scope in Indian horticulture is tremendous. If
popularly organized, the promising fields having wide
scope for protected cultivation in India are-

 Cultivation in problematic agro-climate: In India

majority of uncultivated space is beneath problematic
conditions like barren, uncultivated fallow lands and
desserts. Even a fraction of this space brought beneath
greenhouse cultivation might turn out substantial returns for native
inhabitants.
 Greenhouses around massive cities: The substantial
demand persists for recent vegetables and ornamentals
round the year in massive cities. Demand for off season
and high price crops additionally exists in massive cities.
Thus greenhouse cultivation is promoted to fulfill the urban
necessities.
 Greenhouses (GH) for plant propagation:
Greenhouse technology is being currently a day’s thought
of as appropriate approach for rising of seedlings and
cuttings that need management setting for his or her
growth. GH facility might increase the capability and
quality of manufacturing the stuff.
 Greenhouse technology for biotechnology: Material
generated through tissue culture area unit ought to be
propagated up to speed setting. The aquiculture or
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) is needed controlled
environmental conditions for growing plants.
 Greenhouse for cultivation of rare and healthful Plants:
India has wide range of healthful herbs and rare
plants like orchids that are known for big scale
cultivation. The greenhouse might offer the proper style
of environmental conditions for the intensive cultivation
of those plants.
Prospects for Odisha:
A proposal on sustainable improvement of rural livelihoods
through vegetable cultivation and value addition was approved
by the Ministry of Panchayat Raj and Drinking Water
Department, Government of Odisha, India on 20 September
2019. The World Vegetable Center will work with the Odisha
Livelihood Mission (OLM) to introduce vegetable seed hubs
and protected cultivation methods, improve nursery production
practices, adopt postharvest practices to reduce losses and
increase value addition, and strengthen value chains for tomato,
chili, onion and eggplant.