Macrotunnel

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$1,292.92

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG)

Manufacturing/Building Method

Built on site. Macrotunnels can be built by a company that specializes in them, by hiring construction workers directly or as a DIY project.

Intellectural Property Type

Open-source

User Provision Model

Macrotunnels can be built by a company that specializes in them, by hiring construction workers directly or as a DIY project.

Distributions to Date Status

UVG has built 13 macrotunnels for research purposes in Guatemalan rural areas as part of the technology transfer program. The installed units are used as a capacity center for local agricultural producers.

Design Specifications

• The structure can be made out of PVC, galvanized steel or wood.
•  The cover can be Agryl (agrotextile material), anti-insect mesh or a combination of low density polyethylene and anti-insect mesh.
• The size of the macrotunnel may vary according to the farmer's need, UVG's macrotunnels are 3.2 m wide, 2 m in height and 30 m long with 3-4 rows of plants.
• First the land is prepared and flattened, then PVC or steel arches are installed.
• The rows where the plants are going to be placed are covered in plastic and the external covering is placed on top of the PVC or metal structure.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

By user, the cover needs replacing every 1-8 cycles depending on the material.

Replacement Components

Locally available components at hardware stores or agricultural centers.

Lifecycle

The covering can be changed cyclically, if it is plastic it can be recycled.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Create a physical barrier for climatic events, viruses and pests. Increase productivity.

Vetted Performance Status

• Increase in crop yields from 2.5 - 3.8 times
• The combination of mesh and plastic proved to create better microclimate conditions for chilly pepper.
• The combination of mesh and plastic proved to more profitable than using a mesh or agrotextile covering

Safety

No safety recommendations found.

Complementary Technical Systems

Agricultural training

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Unknown