Economic and Environmental Analysis of Greenhouse Crop Production with Special Reference to Low Cost Greenhouses: A Review

Abstract. The greenhouse technology can be a key for sustainable crop production and to achieve food security in the regions facing the problems of food scarcity. It gives assured crop production and also increases the productivity. But, the high initial cost is one the biggest concern in the adoption of the technology by the farmers. Over the period, many scientists and engineers helped to reduce the cost of the technology. In most of the cases, it is done by using alternate construction materials or by using innovative environmental control technology. A comprehensive review of low-cost greenhouse technologies is taken in the article. Also, the economic analysis of some of the greenhouse production operations from different parts of the worlds are summarized along with their environmental impacts.