Revolutionizing Vegetable Production: Protected Cultivation Technologies Enable Year-Round Vegetable Growth for Small Farmers in India

With the development of microclimatic management technologies through temporary shade net, small farmers can now grow vegetables year-round thanks to the protected cultivation technology created by Birsa Agriculture University (BAU). This innovation has received a trademark from the office of the comptroller general of patents, designs, and trademarks of the ministry of commerce and industry, Government of India.

Pramod Rai, the principal investigator at BAU’s Centre of All India Coordinated Research Project on Plastic Engineering in Agriculture Structure and Environment Management (PEASEM), developed this technology. According to Rai, the productivity and quality of cultivated vegetables are influenced by genetic material, crop management, and microclimate management. Protected cultivation technologies are used to manage important microclimate parameters such as temperature (soil and air), light (intensity and quality), relative humidity, carbon dioxide, and more for cultivated crops.

This development opens up new opportunities for small farmers to enhance their agricultural practices and improve their yield. By utilizing these advanced technologies, farmers can ensure a consistent supply of quality vegetables for consumers while also increasing their profitability. This transformative approach to agriculture has the potential to revolutionize the way small farmers operate and contribute to the sustainability of vegetable production in the region.