Pack, Poly & Green House

Packhouses, polyhouses, and greenhouses are key infrastructure components in modern horticulture. A greenhouse or polyhouse is a structure covered with transparent or semi-transparent material—such as polyethylene, glass, or fiberglass—designed to cultivate crops in a controlled environment. These structures range from small sheds to large industrial facilities and often include advanced climate-control systems, lighting, and humidity regulation to minimize crop loss and maximize productivity.

Greenhouse vs. Polyhouse

  • Greenhouse: Typically uses glass or rigid materials to create an enclosed micro-climate. Durable and effective at heat retention.

  • Polyhouse: A type of greenhouse using polyethylene film as a cover. It’s the most widely adopted form in India due to its cost-efficiency, although it is less durable than glass greenhouses.

  • Lath House: Uses wooden framework with shading materials, offering a low-cost alternative.

Suitable Crops for Polyhouse Cultivation

  • Fruits: Papaya, Strawberry

  • Vegetables: Capsicum, Cauliflower, Tomato, Okra, Spinach, and more

  • Flowers: Rose, Gerbera, Chrysanthemum, Marigold, Orchid, etc.

Site Selection Criteria

  • Should be a well-drained location to prevent waterlogging

  • Must be located away from industrial pollution

  • Easily accessible for inputs and transportation, yet protected from excessive traffic or dust

Types of Structures & Their Costs

  1. Low-Cost/Bamboo Greenhouse

    • Bamboo framework with UV-stabilized polyethylene, side vents for temperature control

    • Construction cost: ₹300–500 per m²; suitable for small-scale farmers

  2. Semi-Automatic Polyhouse

    • Galvanized iron frame equipped with fans, cooling pads, and misting systems

    • Construction cost: ₹800–1,100 per m²; ideal for dry and composite climates

  3. High-End Commercial Greenhouse

    • Fully equipped with HVAC, humidity controls, hydroponic setups, and computerized systems

    • Construction cost: ₹2,000–3,500 per m²; used for high-value crops and commercial scale

Structure Configurations

  • By Shape: Quonset, Curved Roof, Gable Roof

  • By Support Material: PVC frames, Steel frames

  • By Glazing Material: Fiberglass (plain or corrugated), Glass (single/double), UV-stabilized polyethylene

  • By Span Configuration: Single span or Ridge & Furrow multi-span

Environmental Control Systems

  • Naturally Ventilated Polyhouses: Basic ventilation via side vents and ridge chimneys

  • Environmentally Controlled Polyhouses: Integrated systems to regulate temperature, humidity, CO₂, and lighting

Shade Houses

Used primarily in warm climates or for ornamentals during summer months. Made of shade nets (often black polypropylene), they protect crops like orchids, azaleas, and nurseries from excessive heat.

Design Considerations

  • Orientation: East–West alignment to minimize mutual shading

  • Dimensions & Spacing: Max ~60 m span for naturally ventilated setups; maintain 10–15 m gap between adjacent houses

  • Height & Load-Bearing: Up to 5 m height for large houses; structural design must account for dead load, live load (~15 kg/m²), wind load (~50 kg/m²), and snow load where applicable

Cladding & Component Materials

  • Cladding Choices: Polycarbonate, double-strength glass, various poly films, fiberglass types

  • Key Components:

    • Roof, siding (gable), gutters, columns, ridge beams, bracings, arches, foundation pipes

Containers & Watering Systems

  • Containers: Clay pots, peat pots, soil blocks, fiber trays, PVC containers—each suited to specific crops and operations

  • Irrigation: Drip or micro-sprinkler systems installed close to the root zone to minimize moisture on foliage

Maintenance & Operations

  • Periodic cleaning of films and glazing to ensure optimal light transmission

  • Annual soil solarization and fumigation to suppress pathogens

  • Routine checks and cleaning of pipes and irrigation systems to prevent clogging

  • Regular nutrient monitoring and pest control—biological or trap-based

Common Challenges

  • Nutrient imbalances (deficiencies/excess) requiring frequent monitoring

  • Film degradation and the associated increase in maintenance costs

  • Environmental control system upkeep to ensure uniform growing conditions

SS Industrial Consultancy – Your Partner in Protected Cultivation

Our Services

  • Feasibility & Planning

    • Site evaluation, crop selection, capacity planning

    • Design proposals for greenhouse or polyhouse projects

  • DPR & Cost-Benefit Evaluation

    • Detailed project reports, financial projections, and scheme mapping

  • Implementation & Compliance Support

    • Procurement assistance, installation oversight, and commissioning

    • Coordination with agencies for approvals and inspections

  • Maintenance Advisory

    • Operational SOPs for irrigation, nutrient management, pest control

    • Re-tendering of films and equipment based on lifespan

  • Funding & Subsidy Support

    • Guidance on subsidy schemes, loan assistance, documentation

    • Integration with other agricultural infrastructure funding sources

Why Invest in Protected Cultivation?

  • Enables year-round production, including off-season market access

  • Reduces crop loss due to weather, pests, or diseases

  • Maximizes yields and quality—resulting in higher returns

  • Enhances operational efficiency through technology integration