Economic feasibility of utilising vertical soilless culture in heated greenhouses for out-of-season strawberry production
1995
Bentes, M.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the financial effectiveness of the vertical bag soilless culture system (SCS) for strawberry production in a heated greenhouse, and estimate the expected net revenues from the adoption of this technique, in the area of Northern Greece. Experimental data from the Agricultural Research Center of Northern Greece were collected and analysed. Standing for comparison two other production systems were used: the soil mixture system (SMS) in heated greenhouse and the traditional production system (TPS) under plastic tunnels. Several approaches of investment appraisal such as net present value, internal rate of return, benefit/cost ratio, payback period, and discounted payback period were employed. Also a NPV model adjusted to inflation was used. A combination of partial budgeting and sensitivity analysis was described for evaluating the system effectiveness. The importance of the SCS was revealed in terms of increasing production and gross returns. When compared with SMS, it was also proved to be an important contributor to farmers' income either in an inflationary environment or not. Meanwhile, it was indicated that SCS is inefficient compared with TPS, particularly due to its high initial investment and large fuel consumption. Finally, sensitivity analysis, indicated the importance of product price in affecting the magnitude of benefits, confirming the interest of farmers to produce out-of-season strawberries in order to market them when prices are likely to be higher
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]