Articles
The vegetable garden in soilless protected agriculture, an alternative for family farming
Article number
1356_42
Pages
347 – 352
Language
English
Abstract
The vegetable garden in soilless protected agriculture is a production model that can be an option to support low-income families.
The National Autonomous University of Mexico, through the Aragón School of Higher Studies and the Degree in Planning for Agricultural Development, proposes the implementation of vegetable gardens to grow a diversity of species under protected agriculture by small-scale farmers who work at a family level.
The aims of adopting this technology by small-scale farmers will be for instance the production of quality food, the creation of permanent sources of employment and getting an additional income in the productive unit, and at the same time making a sustainable use of natural resources such as water and the environment.
This production model can be used in urban, peri-urban and rural areas.
The vegetable garden project in protected agriculture without soil, was developed at the Center for Productive Practices of the Faculty of Higher Studies Aragón from 2019 to 2021. A 134-m2 tunnel-type greenhouse was used with six beds with volcanic rock substrate and irrigation by drip.
Six different horticultural species were grown: cucumber, jalapeño pepper, poblano pepper, spinach, lettuce, and radish.
A modified Steiner nutrient solution was prepared for plant fertilization.
A record was kept of the yield m‑2 of each of the species and the sale income.
The results obtained show that this is an excellent alternative for obtaining fresh high-quality food by small farmers, a source of income and self-employment for their families and local people, and a wise use of the natural resources.
The vegetable garden is an option to improve the productivity of family farming in Mexico.
The National Autonomous University of Mexico, through the Aragón School of Higher Studies and the Degree in Planning for Agricultural Development, proposes the implementation of vegetable gardens to grow a diversity of species under protected agriculture by small-scale farmers who work at a family level.
The aims of adopting this technology by small-scale farmers will be for instance the production of quality food, the creation of permanent sources of employment and getting an additional income in the productive unit, and at the same time making a sustainable use of natural resources such as water and the environment.
This production model can be used in urban, peri-urban and rural areas.
The vegetable garden project in protected agriculture without soil, was developed at the Center for Productive Practices of the Faculty of Higher Studies Aragón from 2019 to 2021. A 134-m2 tunnel-type greenhouse was used with six beds with volcanic rock substrate and irrigation by drip.
Six different horticultural species were grown: cucumber, jalapeño pepper, poblano pepper, spinach, lettuce, and radish.
A modified Steiner nutrient solution was prepared for plant fertilization.
A record was kept of the yield m‑2 of each of the species and the sale income.
The results obtained show that this is an excellent alternative for obtaining fresh high-quality food by small farmers, a source of income and self-employment for their families and local people, and a wise use of the natural resources.
The vegetable garden is an option to improve the productivity of family farming in Mexico.
Authors
E. Cedillo, L.P. Martínez
Keywords
protected agriculture, family farming, soilless cultivation
Groups involved
- Division Landscape and Urban Horticulture
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Division Horticulture for Development
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Division Vegetables, Roots and Tubers
- Commission Agroecology and Organic Farming Systems
- Working Group Urban Horticulture
- Working Group Landscape Horticulture
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