Vertical farming structure for homestead vegetable cultivation within rainshelter

Rainshelters, open-sided greenhouses suited for humid tropical climates, present an opportunity for homestead cultivation in Kerala. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a vertical farming structure tailored for rainshelters. A scientifically designed vertical farming structure was fabricated and compared with two existing counterparts, using Amaranthus CO-1 variety as the test crop. Drip irrigation at 1 litre per plant per day was employed. Data on climatic and biometric observations was used for the analysis of the structures’ performance, with statistical analysis conducted using SPSS 16.0 software. Results indicated significant differences in light intensity, photosynthetically active radiation, and yield per plant between the structures and tiers, individually and in combination, at a 5% significance level. The newly fabricated vertical farming structure demonstrated a maximum benefit-cost ratio of 1.33. Positive net present worth values suggested project viability, with the new structure outperforming earlier counterparts in all aspects. The findings advocate for rainshelter cultivation of vegetables using vertical farming structures and drip irrigation, offering potential to enhance nutritional security in Kerala’s homesteads.