ABOUT THIS RESOURCE

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HOW TO USE THIS RESOURCE

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ABOUT PHUONG'S FARM

About this resource

This resource is built around a case study of an expert Virginia farmer (Phuong Vo) growing capsicums in soil in conventional glasshouses. His practices are presented in sufficient detail to allow other growers to make comparisons with their own knowledge, practices and economics.

The package has two main aims:

1. The first aim is to help capsicum growers identify agronomic issues more clearly and gain insight into how to achieve improved yields/reduce costs by changing specific practices.

2. The second aim is to enable growers to estimate the costs and benefits of changing specific practices so they can assess the economic pros and cons.

Although focused on growing capsicums in soil under glass, the information in the package is highly relevant to growing under plastic, and will be of considerable assistance with other greenhouse crops in low tech systems, including semi-hydroponic systems.

There are four modules in this resource package:

Module 1: ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE
Module 2: PREPARING & PLANTING
Module 3: MANAGING THE CROP
Module 4: COST BENEFIT CALCULATOR

The first three modules are about good practice in low tech greenhouse farming, focusing on a case study of Phuong Vo as an expert capsicum grower from Virginia. For more details about Phuong, his farm and changes in productivity he has achieved click here.

Each of these modules begins with a Primary Fact Sheet covering the main topics. These fact sheets have links to video clips about Phuong's practice and additional information that can assist greenhouse capsicum growers.

The fourth module is a cost-benefit summary of the changes Phuong has made and the results he has achieved. This module has a section where another grower can do his own cost-benefit comparison of his current costs and yields and compare to the cost of adopting new practices against an estimated yield benefit.

The Home Page has links to each module and a Resources page where you will find a range of fact sheets and videos, including a list of all resources in Vietnamese.

Below is a more detailed description of the content in each module and how best to use it.

Module 1: ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE

This section reviews some essential knowledge that Phuong and all growers should rely on as far as possible including:

> Managing plant needs - nutrition
> Greenhouse design and climate management
> Greenhouse design - pest and disease
> Soil health management
> Irrigation management
> Salinity management
> Managing pests & diseases

Much of this information is relevant to growing other crops in similar structures - cucumbers, tomatoes, egg plants etc. except of course many of their specific requirements are different.

Module 2: PREPARING AND PLANTING

This section begins the case study of Phuong as an expert capsicum grower by looking at his preparation and planting practices, including:

> Soil testing, fallowing and rotating
> Ripping and leaching to improve drainage and reduce salinity
> Fumigating to control soil diseases
> Applying compost and soil conditioners
> Pre-plant nutrient replacement
> Careful sourcing and planting of seedlings

To begin at the Primary Fact Sheet for this module, click here.

Module 3: MANAGING THE CROP

This section tracks the key practices used by Phuong to manage his crop for maximum production and identify and deal with various challenges and threats.

> Good irrigation practices
> Skilled and timely management of flowering and fruiting
> Skilled and timely management of plant nutrition and fertilisers
> Prevention, detection and control of pests and diseases
> Detection and remediation of serious plant stress

To begin at the Primary Fact Sheet for this module, click here.

Module 4: COST BENEFIT CALCULATOR

This section summarises the changes and benefits achieved by the case study grower, Phuong Vo, over the last eight years. This section includes:

> A worksheet comparing Phuong's production per square metre and per plant before and after making improvements. Another worksheet showing changes in costs and labouring Phuong's management practice against the estimated benefits they gave back.

> A second set of spreadsheets for other growers to compare current and possible scenarios on their own farms by entering potential changes and estimated costs. You can identify the major areas of loss and then can work out how much more yield you would need recover to make a profit from any changes.

To begin at the Primary Fact Sheet for this module, click here.