Exploring the economic impact of carbonic fertilisation in greenhouses in western Almería (Spain)

Aim of study: To assess the economic viability of implementing carbon fertilisation (CF) on the Campo de Dalías greenhouse agricultural sector. Area of study: Agricultural area of Campo de Dalías (Southeast of Spain), the highest density of greenhouses for horticulture in Europe, with an area of 21,285 ha of greenhouses, spread over an entire area of 33,000 ha. Material and methods: Based on the technology currently used in the Campo de Dalías, we estimated the impact of introducing technology that could incorporate CF (multi-span greenhouses) and that of CF itself. The main indicators analysed were value added, employment, gross output, and input use, and especially water consumption. Main results: The results show an improvement in the most important indicators analysed, making CF an economically viable technique that will help the development process of the agricultural sector in Campo de Dalías. Research highlights: Campo de Dalias production competes in Central European markets with others coming from areas with lower costs (North Africa) or those with higher technical standards (mainly the Netherlands). Species traditionally grown in the Campo de Dalías greenhouses have disappeared due to their low profitability. Technological innovation is the only way out to prevent this important sector from continuing losing value.