Environmental efficiency in greenhouse tomato production using soilless farming technology

Abstract

The environmental efficiency of agricultural production and the relationship between management type and monetary value of achieving environmental efficiency are important parameters to assess the competitiveness of farms. The objectives of the study were to (i) estimate the environmental efficiency of greenhouse tomato farms, (ii) explore the determinants of the environmental efficiency level of greenhouse tomato farms, and (iii) calculate the monetary value of providing less greenhouse gas emission (GHG) and effective waste management in greenhouse tomato farms. The research data were obtained from 42 professional and 55 semi-professional greenhouse farms producing tomatoes using soilless farming technology in Turkey by using questionnaires. The environmental impact of tomato production was assessed using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The environmental efficiency was estimated by using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), and the Tobit model was used to elicit the determinants of environmental efficiency. The results showed that 1.72 kg CO2-equivalents of GHG were emitted for 1 kg fresh tomatoes from the cradle to the farm gate, and 1753.1 tons of organic waste were generated. The average environmental efficiency score of the greenhouse farms was 0.86, while the score was higher for professional farms and glass greenhouses. The results also revealed that the monetary value of GHG reduction and composting of all organic wastes in the greenhouse tomato farms were 1037.14 and 5700 US dollars, respectively. The values were higher for the professional greenhouse farms and glass greenhouses. The variables of education level of farmers, the size of glass greenhouses, net income, waste recycling investment, environmental knowledge level of farmers, and presence of green production practices positively affected the environmental efficiency. The findings suggest that awareness, extension, and training activities should be organized to reduce the farm-level negative impact of environmental inefficiency. Shifting from a static cost impact paradigm to a dynamic environmental management paradigm in greenhouse tomato farms may improve environmental efficiency, especially in semi-professional farms, and increase the competitive power of greenhouse farms.