Greenhouse vs open field: Which is greener?

Many young farmers towing with the idea of starting tomato farming always ask me “should I go the greenhouse way or the open field?” I can confidently, say greenhouse is more superior though it must be adopted with more caution and care. The discussion will therefore focus more on greenhouse technology.

Greenhouse production is often perceived as an artificial process, characterised by low nutritional quality of the final product and the heavy use of chemical inputs. Moreover, large areas covered with greenhouses create a big visual impact. In contrast, open-field cultivation is perceived as an ‘eco-friendly’ activity, and one that has a much smaller visual impact.