How to Extend Harvest Time?

[caption id="attachment_3690" align="alignnone" width="620"] Hoop House[/caption]

One great obstacle that faces many in the agricultural industry, is dealing with the harvest at the beginning and end of the growing seasons for vegetables. This is because the harvest is typically lighter and not as sustainable. Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals are directly inhibited by this problem.

One recent solution that has been attempted at some research Universities and farms is that of a “Hoop House”. These structures are similar to greenhouses but are not heated electrically. The Chicago Botanic Garden states that the benefits of a hoop house are that it provides a longer growing season (1-2 months longer) for plants while also protecting them from poor weather and insects.

These buildings can extend and increase the number of crops available making their growing seasons more sustainable. The largest employment sector in the world is agriculture-related as it employs 40% of the global population. This sector is also the largest source of income for people living in poor rural areas as well.

A hoop house’s ability to be moved around, operate without electricity and extend the growing season has the ability to also tackle goals 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and 1 (No Poverty). This is because it will allow workers to not only maintain the hoop houses themselves but to tend to the farms as well. The hoop houses do require a small initial start-up cost. However, these structures more than pay for their initial costs, because of the larger quantity of produce able to be grown.

In the meantime, if you are involved with initiatives that champion the other SDGs and have a special focus on alleviating hunger and sustainable farming, you can join the Entrepreneurship Campus and enter our competitions. You will have the opportunity to expand your network with other people that share the same interests, ideas and projects. On the other hand, you can inspire other people to start another similar movement in a different country.

Credit:
UN
Chicago Botanic Garden