Economic and Environmental Impact Analysis of Vegetable Production in Bamboo Polyhouse Vs Galvanized Iron Pipe Polyhouse

Abstract. In the attempt to reduce the capital cost of a metal polyhouse, the bamboo polyhouse was designed and constructed for vegetable production suitable for the hot and humid climate. The economic analysis (EA) of the bamboo polyhosue was performed for tomato production and results were compared with the similar but hypothetical galvanized iron (GI) polyhosue. Further, the environmental impact analysis (EIA) was carried out on the both bamboo and GI polyhouses limited to the construction of the polyhouses. The initial/construction cost of bamboo polyhouse was found about 72% of the GI polyhouse. The BC ratios of GI and bamboo polyhosues, if used for tomato production, were respectively observed as 1.92 and 1.67. The GWP indicators of the bamboo and G.I. greenhouses were found respectively 5 kg CO₂ eq./m² and 26.9 kg CO₂ eq./ m² of the polyhouse area. In summary, so far as the construction of both polyhouses was concerned, the bamboo polyhouse was about 28% cheaper and much environment-friendly over GI/metal polyhouse.