An Agro-economic Comparison between Dwarf and Long Green Beans Production with Soilless Production System under Greenhouse Condition in UAE

Abstract

Green bean is an important vegetable crop grown in open field and under greenhouse condition in the Arabian Peninsula (AP) Region. ICARDA previous studies show that the yield and water productivity of the green beans in the region in the cooled greenhouse are 6 kg/m2 and 10 kg/m3 per year respectively. In UAE, total annual consumption of green beans calculated at about 5,122 tons of which only 1543 tons are local products. To cover the deficit UAE imports about 3579 tons of green beans with the estimated value of 3,141,000US$. Soilless production systems provide a good alternative solution for producing the high-value vegetable crop in the region while addressing the general region constraints against agricultural development which includes harsh environment, lack of suitable soil and the shortage of water resources. Different green beans varieties required different production systems. This study aims to compare the yield and income of dwarf and long beans in hydroponics system in UAE. For dwarf beans, the vertical soil-less system used while long beans planted at a flat soilless production system. After assessing the production records and partial income analysis, it seems that dwarf beans produce higher yield and revenue than long beans. Although the vertical system requires extra 2.03 AED costs per square meter of the greenhouse (0.55AED running and 1.48AED investment cost), generates 2.98 surpluses in gross income. The increase of revenue is as a result of higher yield, although the price for dwarf beans is lower in the market. Dwarf beans yield reached to the pick of 1.98kg/m2 with compared to long beans yield of 0.98kg/m2 is higher by two folds. Dwarf beans not only produce more but also start production earlier and continue production one week longer compared to long beans. This first and longer production period helps to catch-up with the higher price at the beginning and end of seasons at the market.