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Protected Cultivation with Drip Fertigation Is a Feasible Option for Growing High-Value Vegetables in Samoa: A Case Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Protected structures with drip fertigation systems have allowed many countries around the world to grow high-value vegetables, such as tomatoes and bell peppers year round, particularly under adverse edaphoclimatic conditions. This paper evaluates the feasibility of tomato and bell pepper cultivation in Sunshine Pacific Limited. Farm in Tanumalala, a commercial farm in Samoa, under a protected cultivation system with drip fertigation. The yield, water use efficiency, establishment and maintenance costs, and the average return per hectare of production were analyzed. Additionally, economic feasibility indicators were estimated using the discount factors of 6.5% and 11%. Results showed that the annual yield of tomatoes (163,500 kg/ha) was higher than bell peppers (103,500 kg/ha). The water use efficiency (WUE) and product water use (PWU) of these two crops in this study were less efficient compared to what was observed in other countries, as indicated by the value of the respective WUE and PWU: 8.38 kg/m3 and 0.12 m3/kg for tomatoes while 5.31 kg/m3 and 0.19 m3/kg for capsicum. Despite the high initial establishment cost, all economic feasibility parameters indicated that the system is profitable, having a BCR ratio of more than 2, and feasible under Samoa conditions, mostly due to the high market price. Thus, this system of cultivation could be an option for growing high-value vegetables in Samoa. However, further research is needed to improve the yield and water use efficiency.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su17167208

Authors: Leslie T. Ubaub, Mohammed A. Kader, Nandakumar Desai, Oliver C. C. Ubaub, Mayday Cai

Institutions: University of the South Pacific - Samoa Campus, Maison des Sciences de l'Homme du Pacifique, Géométrie algébrique et applications à la théorie de l'information, Géopôle du Pacifique Sud

Language: English

Topic: Irrigation Practices and Water Management

Subfield: Soil Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896