GREENHOUSE

WHAT IS A GREENHOUSE?
A greenhouse is a structure designed to provide a protected, controlled environment for raising plants indoors. It is made of glass or a clear plasticthat transmits the Sun's light. Large commercial greenhouses raise and sell flowering plants and vegetables out of season. Often such greenhouses use sophisticated techniques for controlling the levels of heat and light--both natural and artificial--and have complex systems for watering and feeding plants.

The first greenhouse was constructed in 1989 at the Belle Vue  Farmers’ Cooperative. The objective was to produce vegetable seedlings. It was  believed that it would assist in increasing especially in the rainy season since farmers  would be able to plant strong healthy seedlings.

The greenhouse programme was launched in August 1990, when a greenhouse was erected at Barthe. June the following year, 5 greenhouses were established on farmers’ holdings  and 2 at Beausejour. In September 1992, 4 greenhouses were built in Union and 8 were made  available for on-farm trials carried out by the French Mission. One more greenhouse was added in July, 1993.

The main objective of the project was to reduce importation of vegetables by increasing  the ability for year round local production. Vegetables fall under 2 categories:

  Those that can be produced under shelter: tomato, lettuce, sweet pepper, and curcubits.

  Those that cannot be economically produced under greenhouse conditions: cabbages and
       carrots. Production of these can be improved by the use of irrigation and a consistent
       pest and disease management programme.

     Presently, there are about 100 greenhouses existing on the island. The main crop grown within
     the greenhouse is tomato, followed by lettuce, sweet peppers and cucurbits.

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