COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE DIFFERENCES IN THE VALUE OF THE ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF TOMATO PRODUCTION IN A CLASSIC SYSTEM WITH CONVENTIONAL HEATING AND BASED ON THERMAL WATERS

Abstract

Romania's geographical location allows vegetable production to be achieved with low production costs during the summer months, due to the favorable temperature. However, summer production, correlated with the abundance of products during this season, is not sufficient to economically support the rest of the time. Both the duration of sunshine and the average temperature are naturally lower in Romania compared to some adjacent countries with horticultural traditions.

The differences regarding the economic efficiency of greenhouses for tomato cultivation were studied, for two heating systems: a classic system that involves the purchase of the thermal agent and an unconventional system that uses thermal waters to heat the environment. The study was conducted in the plain area of western Romania in the area of the town of Lovrin. Production in the classic system was variable throughout the year, with values ranging between 27 and 37 tons/hectare. There was only one exception, the month of December with a production of 15 tons/hectare. The average production was approximately 31 tons/hectare. The minimum production in the unconventional system that ensures economically comparable values with the classic greenhouse tomato growing system is approximately 26.8 tons/hectare. The value added obtained by increasing the production by one ton/hectare in the unconventional system is approximately 7957 euros.