July 14, 2003	Monday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 13, 1424

The role of vegetables has always been ignored, and in fact limited in the development of economy of the country, consequently, in the daily diet of an average Pakistani.

Unfortunately, it has always been professed that ‘chapati’ derived from wheat is the only integral part of the human diet and hence large area come under this crop. In fact, vegetables are a rich source of starch, proteins, minerals, vitamins and cellulose and a higher return compared to other conventional crops.

Vegetables’ supply throughout the year has always been erratic. At the peak season growers usually receive insufficient profit to meet the expenditure on the crop. A few days ago, growers were compelled to sell potatoes at the rate of Rs2 per kg in bulk when consumers were paying Rs7-10 for the same weight. Since long, a similar dilemma is encountered by growers in regard to other major corps as well. Sugar-cane growers still continue to face low returns. It is the middleman who pockets the big amount.

In order to produce cheaper vegetables, a comprehensive infrastructure has to be developed including harvesting at proper stage, packing, transportation, appropriate storage facilities and marketing for maximum profitability. For cheaper production, it is imperative to increase production. Vegetable-growing technology has become inevitable and must be imported to increase the production.

Certainly, nature has bestowed on us four distinct seasons in contrast to severe winters in Europe and many other countries. In such areas, to offset the severity of weather expensive glass houses have been constructed for raising vegetables and flowers. Vegetable growers in Sindh however enjoy an edge in summer and sell their fruits and vegetables at much higher returns as compared to vegetable growers in Punjab where growing of early summer vegetables have been made possible through erection of plastic tunnels.

If the construction of tunnels is costly, then vegetable seedlings can be grown in tubes under the coverage of plastic sheets. There are two types of tunnels, short-statured and tall, which can be erected according to finances available. Tunnels and plastic covering is needed to tide over the harsh winter with occasional frost. The seedling in tubes may be transplanted when the weather is fair in the month of February. The most suitable vegetables for growing under tunnels or plastic sheets are hybrid tomato, brinjal (egg plant), okra (bhindi), cucurbits including squashes, hybrid cucumber, sweet and bitter gourds, musk melon and water melons, seedless if possible.

Seed germination: Under normal conditions good quality vigorous hybrid seed of most of the vegetables can be germinated in late October or early November in tunnels. When sowing is delayed, it can be gainfully germinated in cheaply fabricated home made germinators consisting of a wooden box fitted with electric bulb to supply light and heat to the seed planted in trays. After germination, young seedlings are shifted in plastic tubes or tunnels for proper growth and development. Planting seeds in tubes is cheaper as compared to constructing plastic tunnels built from iron props or bamboos. On the other hand, growing of seed in plastic tubes is though labour intensive yet is preferable when the same land is being used to grow other crops or winter season vegetables.

Tunnel construction: Tall-statured tunnels are constructed with the help of iron bars or bamboos, which are commonly seen in ornamental nurseries. Tunnels constructed with iron bar are more expensive but are long lasting. Before the sowing of vegetables and formation of ridges, farmyard manure along with NPK may be added for vigorous growth. The seed may be planted on both sides of the ridge at a distance varying from 1-1 1/2 foot depending upon the type of vegetable.

Since the seed of tomato and egg plant are small therefore, they may be raised in nurseries and transplanted as soon as they are 6-9 inches in height. Watering, application of nitrogenous fertilizer and inter- culturing may be carried out when ever needed. During sunny days, the plastic sheets may be removed for aeration and light.

In order to enhance fruit formation either hand pollination may be carried out or in certain cases, bees may be used to carry out the process. Under plastic coverage, the temperature is comparatively warm in winter and cooler in summer, thus more conductive for growth of vegetables resulting in bigger size, more fruiting for a prolonged period. It will also help in producing early vegetables which will fetch more money.

Advantages: * much higher profitability for early marketing at higher price.The profit may be over Rs one hundred thousand per acre. * long fruiting period and consequently higher production. * provides more opportunities for unemployed labour force. * optimum plant population is obtained. * lesser seed required.