Economic Viability of Cucumber Farming: Hydroponic Systems VS Traditional Soil Methods

Abstract

Protective cultivation, in both soil-based and soilless systems, provides a controlled environment that enhances crop productivity, particularly for greenhouse cucumber production. However, various dynamic factors significantly influence production outcomes, including temperature, humidity, radiation, irrigation, fertigation, disease incidence, and operational costs (e.g., electricity, diesel, and labour). While soilless cultivation effectively manages soil-borne diseases and improves yield and quality, it also raises production costs, posing challenges for marginal farmers in developing countries due to high initial investments and limited access to information. Economic analyses confirm that greenhouse production is more profitable than open-field cultivation, although costs associated with artificial heating and cooling for microclimate control remain limited. Hydroponic systems, for instance, yield Rs. 815,000 per acre compared to Rs. 42,748.5 for soil-based systems and demonstrate superior production efficiency (200,000 kg/acre versus 9,000 kg/acre). Despite this, progressive farming systems outperform hydroponics in return on investment (ROI: 7.07 vs. 1.40), cost efficiency, and investment turnover. Results from MANOVA analysis reveal the statistically significant impact of operational and cost factors on greenhouse profitability (Wilks' Lambda: F = 649.62, p < 0.01). Protective cultivation facilitates off-season vegetable production and yields higher, particularly in favourable hilly regions. To promote wider adoption, government agencies must offer subsidies for infrastructure and technology while providing marginal farmers with real-time meteorological data for improved crop planning and environmental management.