Bolstering agricultural production…
SHADE houses, similar to greenhouses, allow for cultivation of crops in a controlled environment and, while not a new concept, is now attracting increased interest across the country.
Through ownership of one, the average Guyanese interested in agriculture can become a self-employed entrepreneur and contribute to home-based vegetable production for the family.
The structures have ‘UV’ plastic roofing and walls, complete with a shade mesh that prevents solar radiation and other mesh to keep out insects. Ventilation, irrigation and control systems add to the creation of a control situation for cultivation, facilitating higher productivity of cash and high value crops.
However, unlike the greenhouse, the shade house is not completely enclosed and that marked difference in the infrastructure is what sets the two apart.
Head of the Climate Change and Agricultural Adaptation Unit at the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), Mr. Bissasar Chintamanie said shade houses are beneficial in a number of ways.
He said one of the more important benefits being advanced is that it is also considered an adaptation mechanism to the effects of climate change.
According to him, plants suitable to be cultivated in the shade house include tomato, cabbage, celery, lettuce, pepper, broccoli, carrot and cauliflower.
He said shade houses increase production in a small area, as against planting on a larger expanse of land which may not deliver to the maximum potential, resulting in losses to the planter.
Chintamanie explained that the shade house offers a two weeks jump in the development of plants and harvesting can be done earlier, increasing production and adding to the provision of better nutrition, capacity to export and increasing employment and income.
He observed that shade houses make a significant contribution to advancing the comfort level of families’ lives.
Chintamanie said, to date, the response from farmers across the country has been encouraging and their operations vary in size.
He said shade houses are in Regions Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/Berbice), Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) and Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice).

DEMONSTRATION SITES

Chintamanie said NARI is offering assistance to those who show interest in the pursuit and such support is facilitated at its demonstration sites at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, Kairuni Horticulture Station and Timehri Research and Demonstration Facility, both in Region Ten.
One shade house farmer, Mr. Diaram Lall told the Guyana Chronicle the enterprise poses no major problem for him.
His 120 feet by 38 feet plot, at Kuru Kuru, along Soesdyke/Linden Highway, is planted with cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage.
“It is less work for me this way. With the shade house, there is a better yield and more income,” he attested.
Lall said he has been farming for a number of years and decided to switch to the shade house system because of the larger market for cash crops.
“I have used the shade house for more than one crop and I had good results,” he maintained.
Lall also expressed his appreciation for the aid from NARI in setting up his shade house.
Another farmer, Mr. Ishmael Salam, in Region Five, echoed similar sentiments, stating that his main reason for making use of the shade house is to guard against the effects of the climate.
He admitted that severe weather conditions can cause losses.
Supervisor at Kairuni Horticulture Station, Ms. Joan Klass, indicated that the shade house there is an example for interested farmers.
“It has been a good year for us here. The shade house concept is catching on,” she reported.
Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud, while visiting the Timehri Research and Demonstration Facility earlier this year, said, if farmers grasp the application of the new technologies to produce new high value crops, it can boost Guyana’s exports of vegetables on the world market.
He said imports of vegetables can be reduced because they will available locally at more affordable prices.