CULTIVO DE TOMATE EM ESTUFA

Summary

This video explores innovative tomato farming techniques in Minas Gerais, Brazil, focusing on the shift from traditional open-field farming to high-tech plastic and glass greenhouses. The story follows Tiago Duarte and agronomist Luís Santos, who have invested in automated systems for temperature, light, and CO2 regulation, along with organic pest control methods. These advancements have led to a significant increase in productivity, producing over 400 tons of tomatoes per hectare annually. The video highlights the environmental benefits of this farming model, which uses less water, minimizes pesticides, and delivers high-quality, flavorful tomatoes sold at premium prices.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Duarte family has been producing tomatoes for over 50 years in Pequi, Minas Gerais, initially using conventional open-air farming methods.
• 😀 About 15 years ago, the family switched to plastic greenhouses, now covering almost two hectares with 14 greenhouses of 1,300 square meters each, allowing for year-round production.
• 😀 The use of greenhouses helps reduce pest attacks and the incidence of diseases, but in winter and cloudy days, the plastic reduces light exposure, which can harm tomato plants.
• 😀 Currently, less than 5% of Brazilian tomatoes are grown in greenhouses, although the use of such technology is slowly increasing.
• 😀 In Itabirito, a greenhouse imported from the Netherlands features glass walls and ceilings, allowing more light to reach the crops compared to traditional plastic greenhouses.
• 😀 The greenhouse houses six varieties of tomatoes, including cocktail tomatoes, larger tomatoes for salads, and small varieties like grape tomatoes, with each type requiring specific nutrient solutions.
• 😀 The nutrient solution, which contains essential elements like nitrogen, calcium, and potassium, is mixed and pumped to the plants through a drip irrigation system.
• 😀 CO2 levels are crucial for tomato growth, so the greenhouse maintains optimal CO2 concentrations by injecting it from storage tanks when necessary.
• 😀 A computer system automates temperature, humidity, and CO2 regulation in the greenhouse, allowing precise control for optimal tomato growth, minimizing resource use, and improving efficiency.
• 😀 The use of sustainable practices, such as integrated pest management and reduced pesticide use, helps maintain a healthy environment while boosting productivity, which is 4-5 times higher than conventional open-field farming.

Q & A

What motivated Tiago Duarte to switch from traditional open-air tomato farming to using plastic greenhouses?

Tiago Duarte switched to plastic greenhouses after facing challenges with conventional open-air farming. The greenhouses provided a controlled environment, reducing pest attacks and disease, and enabling year-round production.

How does the use of greenhouses benefit tomato production, especially during the winter and cloudy days?

Greenhouses help maintain a more consistent environment by controlling factors like temperature and humidity. However, the plastic in the greenhouses can reduce light exposure, which is problematic for tomato plants, especially during the winter and on cloudy days.

What is the significance of the greenhouse made from glass in Itabirito?

The greenhouse in Itabirito is made from glass, offering higher light transparency (95-98%), which helps improve tomato productivity compared to plastic greenhouses that allow only 80-85% light transmission.

What innovative techniques are used to ensure optimal growth conditions for the tomatoes in the glass greenhouse?

The greenhouse uses automated systems for controlling temperature, humidity, and light radiation. Additionally, the cultivation involves a drip irrigation system, CO2 injection, and the use of nutrient solutions tailored to different tomato varieties.

How does CO2 play a role in tomato cultivation in the greenhouse?

CO2 is essential for photosynthesis, enabling the plants to convert sunlight into energy. The greenhouse uses a system to monitor and inject CO2 when levels drop below necessary thresholds, ensuring optimal plant growth.

What is the impact of the automated systems on the greenhouse environment?

The automated systems control key variables like temperature, humidity, and light exposure. This leads to more efficient energy use, reduced water consumption, and improved crop yield, with automated adjustments like ventilation and shading when necessary.

How does the greenhouse reduce water usage compared to traditional open-air farming?

The greenhouse uses a controlled drip irrigation system that delivers water directly to the plants, reducing water waste. This approach allows for approximately half the water consumption of conventional open-air farming.

What methods are used to control pests and diseases in the greenhouse, and why are conventional pesticides not used?

Pest and disease control is achieved using organic methods like traps, natural predators, and organic sprays. Conventional pesticides are avoided to maintain the health of the crops and to meet the demands of consumers seeking more sustainable farming practices.

What is the average yield of tomatoes in this high-tech greenhouse, and how does it compare to other farming methods?

The average yield in this high-tech greenhouse is 400 tons per hectare per year, which is more than double the yield of a traditional plastic greenhouse and 4-5 times higher than open-air farming.

How do the prices of tomatoes from the greenhouse compare to those from conventional farms?

Tomatoes grown in the high-tech greenhouse are sold for approximately 18 reais per kilogram, which is about double the price of tomatoes from conventional open-air farms. The premium price is justified by the quality and technology behind the production.