Overview of Protected
Cultivation in the
Philippines
Ronaldo B. Saludes
Associate Professor
Agrometeorology and Farm Structures Division
Institute of Agricultural Engineering
College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology
University of the Philippines Los Baños
Name Ronaldo B. Saludes
Highest Educational PhD in Agricultural Engineering
Background Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Current Employment Associate Professor
University of the Philippines Los Baños
Research Interest 1. Controlled Environment Agriculture
2. Agricultural Waste management
3. Precision Agriculture
Recent Project 1. Project Staff (January 16 – present)
Smart Plant Production in Controlled Environment (SPICE)
Involvement 2. Study Leader (Nov 4, 2013 – March 31, 2017)
Water Management, Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as
an Industry in the Philippines (SARAI)
3. Project Leader (Jan 1, 2016 –Dec 31, 2016)
Introduction of Innovation Technologies for Corn-Based Cropping System
Status of Protected Cultivation in
the Philippines
• most of the vegetables produced in the Philippines come from open field
• protective cultivation is gaining popularity because it overcomes
seasonality, water scarcity, pest infestation
• intended for crop protection from adverse weather conditions - excessive
heat, cold temperature (highlands), heavy rains, winds, and pests
• adoption of protected cultivation started in the late 1980s
• In 2006, about 100 ha of land are used for protected cultivation
• ranged from small-scale to commercial production of cruciferous
vegetables and cut flowers
Types of Protective Structures
1. Simple structures
• low cost
• use plastic coverings with frames made from wood and bamboo, and
galvanized iron pipes
• rain shelters, shade houses, and plastic tunnels
2. Permanent structures
• commercial greenhouses of modified types from Israel, Korea, Africa etc.
• made from glass or plastic coverings with metal frames
• fully automated environmental control and fertigation systems
• design varies from less expensive (USD 1,500/ 100 sq m) to very expensive
models (USD 40,000 – 100,000/1,000 sq m)
Low Cost Vegetable Growing
Structures in the Philippines
http://ahr.com.au/agronomy/low-cost-protected-cropping-in-the-central-philippines/
Gable-roof type rain shelter in Leyte, Bamboo-type greenhouse in Quezon
Philippines Province, Philippines
Commercial Greenhouses in the
Philippines
Harbest Agri-Plastic Greenhouse System in Greenhouse Lettuce Production at Costales
Masbate, Philippines Nature Farms, Laguna, Philippines
Commercial Greenhouses in the
Philippines
Advanced Greenhouse Facility for Cut Flower Production in Cavite, Philippines (source www. islandrose.net)
Indoor Vertical Farming in the
Philippines
Agritech Shipping Container Vegetable Farm in
Manila
Multi-layer hydroponic system inside the container
van equipped with controlled environment system
Problems and Constraints
1. Covering Materials
2. Management of Inside Temperature and Humidity
3. High initial cost of investment for commercial greenhouses
4. Lack of small farm machineries suitable for protected cultivation
5. Lack of training support on greenhouse production technology
6. Lack of standards on design of protected structures
Thank you
