A study from the University of Copenhagen reveals that greenhouse cultivation is expanding quickly worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This research used deep learning algorithms and satellite imagery to map global greenhouse areas, finding that they cover at least 1.3 million hectares - almost three times previous estimates.
China leads with 60.4% of the global greenhouse area, followed by Spain and Italy with 5.6% and 4.1%, respectively. While greenhouse clusters in the Global North emerged in the 1970s and '80s, growth in the Global South began two decades later. Currently, the Global South's greenhouse area is 2.7 times that of the Global North.
"Greenhouse cultivation has become a global phenomenon and there is every indication that it will continue to expand. Until now however, this phenomenon is rapidly rising under the radar and we have had large gaps in our knowledge of the dynamics that drive this phenomenon," says Xiaoye Tong, a postdoc at the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management and first author of the research article published in Nature Food.
The study links China's dominance to its socio-economic development and urban population growth, which drives demand for fresh produce. Government subsidies also support farmers in building greenhouses and learning cultivation techniques.
Government support for greenhouse growers extends beyond China, particularly in arid regions. Despite resource limitations, greenhouse cultivation offers benefits like local food security and poverty alleviation. Controlled environments in greenhouses allow for higher yields, efficient irrigation, precise fertilization, and better crop quality control.
However, there are environmental and social consequences. Associate professor Marianne Nylandsted Larsen from the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management highlights issues like water overexploitation, high energy consumption, groundwater contamination, soil degradation, and plastic pollution. Agricultural working conditions are also a concern.
"In low- and middle-income countries, which account for 70-80% of the total area, there is a lack of regulation in greenhouse cultivation. This needs to be addressed," says Xiaoye Tong.
Larsen calls for more research into the impacts of greenhouse cultivation in the Global South, including its effects on rural poverty, market demands, and resource consumption.
Research Report:Global area boom for greenhouse cultivation revealed by satellite mapping
Related Links
University of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science
Farming Today - Suppliers and Technology
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