Status of Protected AgricultureIn Kingdom of Bahrain

Eng. Esam Mustafa AbdulrazagDirector, Plant wealth Directorate

Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs & Urban Planning

History of total areas of greenhouses

year

0500

10001500200025003000350040004500

2000 2005 2010 2015

No of greenhouses

No ofgreenhouses

year No of greenhouses

Area in hectares

2001 3464 64.55

2002 2564 50.79

2003 2786 51.91

2004 2533 46.11

2005 2329 47.6

2006 2350 48.0

2007 2420 48.7

2008 2447 49.0

2009 2615 50.5

2010 2779 52.0

2011 2697 51.95

2012 2615 51.9

2013 3887 68.7

2014 4100 73.8

History of total areas of greenhousesFirst greenhouse was constructed in 1978The progress was very slow at the beginningFarmers start picking the idea after realizing

benefits of PABy 2000 , Greenhouses were adopted by

almost every farmerDue to urbanization and recession during

early 2000, there was a drop in all agricultural sector

Introduction of new growing systems boost PA after 2010 to date

Crops Under Greenhouses

Crops areas RemarksTomatoes, Peppers,

Cucumbers, lettuce, egg plants, beans are the most common vegetables under greenhouses

Not many cut flowers greenhouse are found due to harsh weather

Productivity of Major Cropscrop Greenh

ouse type

Production system

Climate control

Average yield (kg/m2 )

Tomato Multiple Span

Soil Non cooled

8.82

Cucumber Multiple Span

Soil cooled 3.1

Cucumber Multiple span

Hydroponics

cooled 8.1

Pepper Single span Soil None cooled

14.7

Cantaloupe Single span Soil None cooled

2.94

Eggplant Single span Soil None cooled

14.11

Snake cucumber

Single span Soil None cooled

8.8

Types of Greenhouses & their Covers

Simple single span greenhouse with width range from 4m. up to 9.4m., up to 3 m. high

Larger multi span greenhouses, multiples of 7 or 9 m., 3.4 up to 4 m. high

Larger commercial multi span, 6 m. highSmall low tunnels

Types of Greenhouses & their CoversMost popular cover is polyethylene film, normally UV

treated, 200 micron thick & over 85% light transparence

Fiber glass corrugated sheets are also usedGreenhouse may be covered by a combination of more

than one cover type.Covering greenhouse by anti insect white mesh is

becoming popularLow tunnels are covered by non woven white meshShade nets(70-50%) are also used as sun shadesPolycarbonate is not very popular among normal

farmers

Cooled or non cooled Climate control

None cooled

cooledFan and pad

High pressure fug

Health pump

Area in hectares

62.73 11.07 - -

• Only 18% of the total area of greenhouses is under cooling

• Fan & pad is most popular cooling system used• High relative humidity does not allow introduction of

fogging system• High RH is a limitation of using evaporative cooling as

well• Water consumed by cooling systems is also counts as

limitation• High cost of cooling components also drives farmers

away from adopting cooling

Growing Systems

Origin of irrigation water

Production

system

Origin of irrigation

water

Quantity of

irrigation water(For

cucumber )

Soil Treated sewage water , bore well water

1 liter /plant/day

hydroponics

R.O. treated underground water

0.2 liter

/plant/day 

Water Consumption for Cooling SystemFarmers usually do not measure

accurately the water consumed for cooling system

Water consumed by cooling system is incredibly high compared to that used by plants

Estimated quantity is about 75 -100 L /sq.m. of cooling pad /day

To save water farmers tend to use marginal water for cooling, lowering the life and performance of the pads.

Special greenhouses TechnologyDouble doors is a normal practice for pest

controlAxial fans to facilitate air circulation inside

greenhousesRoof ventilation to exhaust trapped hot air at

the roof levelBiological control is not popularBumper Bee pollination is gaining popularityBahrain was first to work on closed

greenhouse to circulate cooled air and use condensate water for irrigation, project was hauled due to lack of funds & expertise

Major Problems Facing Greenhouse Growers

Initial cost of investmentWater quality (need to be treated at an extra cost)Unavailability of hydroponic grade fertilizers despite

their high costExpensive hybrid seedsCost of extending the growing season by coolingHarsh weather (RH & Temp)Land tenure problemsMarketing chain & competition from importedCompetition on resources from other more rewarding

sectors

Kind of subsidies

The government subsides the following inputs by 60% from its market price (U$ 400,000 annually)

Irrigation materials and fittingsAll greenhouse coversHydroponic nutrientsIPM tools & pesticidesHydroponic fertigation automatic controlsSemi governmental bodies also provides

soft micro financing loans

Future PlanPromote new growing systems to enhance quality

production (pot plantation, vertical system.. Etc.Expansion in hydroponics systems for better

water use efficiencyApplication of readily available renewable solar

energy in greenhouse technology(transparent panel)

Set standards and specifications for greenhouse structures & covers

Incubate agro prenueuares to establish their high tech. agricultural projects in the newly established Bahrain Agricultural Incubator.