Greenhouse Solutions for Thriving Sweet Potato Farms
The tent-style greenhouse is constructed using locally available materials and screen nets, which are cost-effective and easy to assemble. The greenhouse maintains optimal soil moisture, either manually or through drip irrigation, promoting healthy growth of the vines. The screen nets serve a dual purpose: they provide a barrier against pests and diseases, and they create a controlled environment conducive to growth. This technology ensures the production of high-quality, disease-free planting material, which is crucial for the successful cultivation of sweet potatoes. It’s a practical and beneficial tool for farmers aiming to increase their sweet potato yield.
This technology is TAAT1 validated.
total investment per square meter
over 3 year
sales of vines per square meter
Open source / open access
For Farmers:
Integrating a tent-style greenhouse in a sweet potato farm business can significantly enhance crop yield and quality by providing a controlled, pest-free environment and ensuring the availability of high-quality planting material. This cost-effective solution also promotes efficient use of resources, contributing to sustainable farming practices.
Here are the key steps for a successful implementation of a tent-style greenhouse in your sweet potato farm:
Learn About the Greenhouse: Attend workshops or seek information about the tent-style greenhouse, its benefits, and operation.
Estimate Costs: Calculate the costs for constructing the greenhouse and purchasing vines. Include transportation, labor, and training costs.
Choose the Location: Find a spot on your farm with good light, drainage, and wind protection for the greenhouse.
Prepare the Site: Clear the chosen area and level the base.
Build the Greenhouse: Assemble the frame, install the screen nets, and cover the frame with the plastic cover. You might need some help with this.
Arrange the Plants: Place the sweet potato vines and cuttings inside the greenhouse, ensuring enough space for air circulation.
Maintain the Greenhouse: Learn how to control soil moisture, temperature, and airflow inside the greenhouse.
Evaluate and Improve: Regularly check the effectiveness of the greenhouse and make necessary improvements.
Remember, the timeline for these activities will depend on your specific situation and needs.
Adults 18 and over: Positive high
The poor: No impact
Under 18: Positive medium
Women: Positive medium
Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable
Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement
Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity
Carbon footprint: Same amount of carbon released
Environmental health: Moderately improves environmental health
Water use: Same amount of water used
Algeria,Angola,Benin,Botswana,Burkina Faso,Burundi,Cameroon,Cape Verde,Central African Republic,Chad,Comoros,Democratic Republic of the Congo,Djibouti,Egypt,Equatorial Guinea,Eritrea,Ethiopia,Gabon,Gambia,Ghana,Guinea,Guinea-Bissau,Côte d’Ivoire,Kenya,Lesotho,Liberia,Libya,Madagascar,Malawi,Mali,Mauritania,Mauritius,Morocco,Mozambique,Namibia,Niger,Nigeria,Republic of the Congo,Rwanda,Senegal,Sierra Leone,Somalia,South Africa,South Sudan,Sudan,Eswatini,Tanzania,Togo,Tunisia,Uganda,Western Sahara,Zambia,Zimbabwe
Country | Tested | Adopted |
---|---|---|
Benin | Tested | Adopted |
Botswana | Tested | Adopted |
Burkina Faso | Tested | Adopted |
Central African Republic | Tested | Adopted |
Zimbabwe | Tested | Adopted |
This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.
AEZ | Subtropic - warm | Subtropic - cool | Tropic - warm | Tropic - cool |
---|---|---|---|---|
Arid | ||||
Semiarid | ||||
Subhumid | ||||
Humid |
Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.
Site Selection: Identify and secure an appropriate location for constructing the greenhouse. Ensure it has sufficient space and access to sunlight.
Gather Materials: Acquire the necessary materials for construction, including screen netting, supporting posts, anchors, cables, and any optional components like drip irrigation system.
Erecting Posts: Begin by setting up the supporting posts at regular intervals across the chosen area. These posts will serve as the framework for the greenhouse.
Installing Cables: Connect the cables to the posts horizontally, creating a grid-like pattern to support the screen netting. This step provides structural stability.
Sinking Cable Anchors: Secure the cables in place by sinking anchors into the ground. These anchors will help maintain tension and stability in the structure.
Connecting Cables and Anchors: Ensure that the cables are securely connected to the anchors, creating a stable framework for the greenhouse.
Stretching Screen Nets: Carefully drape the screen netting over the framework, ensuring it covers the entire structure. Secure the netting in place.
Burying Edges of Screen Nets: Bury the edges of the screen netting in the soil to prevent pests and insects from entering the greenhouse.
Optional: Installing Drip Irrigation System: If desired, set up a drip irrigation system connected to a water tank to maintain optimal soil moisture levels within the greenhouse.
Monitor and Maintain: Regularly inspect the greenhouse for any wear and tear, and make necessary repairs. Ensure that the irrigation system (if installed) is functioning properly.
Utilize for Multiplication: Once the greenhouse is set up, use it for multiplying sweet potato vines and cuttings. Place the planting material inside the greenhouse for propagation.
Last updated on 22 May 2024