Greenhouse Innovations in Iceland

Sometimes Mother Nature gives back what she has taken away, with consistently positive results. The cold weather in Iceland is detrimental to agriculture because plants need warm soil to grow. The geothermal energy available in the country comes to the aid of farmers and they have developed greenhouses in Iceland. In these greenhouses, vegetables and other foodstuffs are also grown in winter to reduce dependence on food from abroad. Part of the greenhouse production also consists of horticultural products.

How Does it Work?

Greenhouses are basically air-conditioned rooms for growing crops. They are large glass surfaces where sunlight is captured to warm the soil and where controlled irrigation ensures the healthy growth of plants such as tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, etc. The same greenhouse technology can also be used for horticulture, where cut flowers and potted plants are grown. Interestingly, in countries with hot climates, greenhouses are built to keep the temperature inside cool so that the plants can grow.

Gain Through Greenhouses in Iceland

Greenhouse technology has been used in Iceland for almost a century. In the early days, geothermal energy was used to heat the soil. Advances in technology have led to glass or plastic-covered greenhouses being built in Iceland to help agriculture. In a narrower sense, it can be said that the country’s agricultural sector would have suffered greatly without the greenhouses. Although the latest figures are not available, it can be assumed that there are more than 250,000 square metres of greenhouses in Iceland.

It is assumed that around 50% of the greenhouses in Iceland are used for growing vegetables. The remaining 50% is divided equally between cut flowers and nurseries for bedding plants and forest plants. The sector has successfully adopted the technology so that the yield per square metre is now higher; thanks to the use of artificial lighting in the greenhouses. Interestingly, in some areas the traditional use of geothermal energy for ground heating in the open fields is also continuing. You have to travel to the southern parts of Iceland for this. Thanks to the new techniques, geothermal energy is no longer used in the greenhouses either. Saving energy is a big plus in every area.

The Conflicting Situations in Food Supply

Observers of economic development point out that countries that become rich do not mind importing food from other countries to feed their citizens. The number of people working in agriculture is decreasing, while other sources of income are growing. However, if for any reason there is a serious disruption in supplies from overseas, there is the threat of a food shortage that puts the government in a bind. Iceland has experienced such situations in the past.

This had a direct impact on the promotion of food production through greenhouses. This benefited farmers and the government. A general awareness of the consumption of “local” food has developed among the public. This is the case in many countries today. If you visit the food markets, you will see the labels proudly displaying "This is a product from Iceland" or a similar statement. The nationalistic fervour has its effect. Greenhouses in Iceland have also contributed to this development in the country's agricultural sector.

It is common knowledge that the total cost of production in agriculture in Iceland is higher than in other neighbouring countries. Therefore, the Icelandic government supports farmers with subsidies so that they can survive and continue their activities.

For more information, contact Swapp Agency .