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 THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW GENERATION GREENHOUSE
   FOR SUSTAINABLE CAPSICUM PRODUCTION
   Introduction     Benefits     Outcomes 
Expected outcomes of the project: Individual technologies:

A fully operational new generation greenhouse system for growing capsicums will be achieved over a 12-month period. It is intended to compare the quantity and costs of inputs and outputs from the new greenhouse with the current greenhouse system and traditional field production. Monitoring will include:

  • Fertilisers, chemicals, water, power and maintenance costs - savings of around $11,000 per year are expected.
  • Capsicum yield and quality - an increase of 3kg of capsicums per sq. m and the proportion of premium capsicums increases from 80 to 95%
  • Document major barriers/problems and costs - these will be monitored over two years following construction.
  • Establish an actual cost benefit and return on investment and compare this with budgets and compare this with current greenhouse and field systems.

The end result will be a fully integrated new generation greenhouse - a showcase for the vegetable industry across Australia. This system will demonstrate the potential for producers to achieve high productivity levels all year round with minimal impact on the environment.

Commercial Outcome:

The commercial outcome is more related to adopting the new technology and new production systems, rather than multiple sales of a specific product. The new knowledge and information arising from the project and how it could be used are listed below.

component suppliers will be able to use the new generation greenhouse project to market their products into the broader market. Individual manufacturers t will use results from the monitoring program. Australian products will be used instead of others if they are technically suitable and priced appropriately. However, most advanced technology may need to be sourced from Holland or Israel. The web pages that are intended for the technology transfer process will also publicise the component manufacturers .

Integrated sustainable production system:

The new generation greenhouse system, as a total system, will be taken up by other growers and greenhouse engineering companies, via the demonstration and technology transfer process. The main aspects to highlight in convincing others are the environmental and production benefits, the cost/benefit and the return on investment. See the attached business plan for marketing strategies and marketing plan for Zaldeesh Pty Ltd.

Demonstration of project activities and outcomes.

Technology Transfer will be undertaken to promote the outcomes of this project to the industry across Australia.
In the first year of operation of the greenhouse, all the inputs and outputs will be monitored and recorded. Field days will be held presenting the results and demonstrating the technology to growers and the greenhouse industry. Production results will be compared with both current greenhouse and field production. The construction phase, technology installation and recording will be captured on camera and written up for inclusion on a new generation greenhouse web page (paid for by Zaldeesh Pty Ltd) and linked to supporters web sites across Australia. Media releases, magazine articles will be written and published in regional and national industry publications to promote the adoption of the technology.