Namita, M.Sc. (Hort.) Vegetable Science,
Dr. Versha kumari, Assistant Professor (Vegetable Science), 
Dharini, M.Sc. (Hort.) Vegetable Science, 
Pt. KLS CHRS, Rajnandgaon (C.G.)

Introduction- Production of fresh vegetables outside their typical cropping cycle i.e., before or after their normal growing season is referred as off-season vegetable production. It is generally practiced to supply vegetables in lean period, avoiding glut situation and fetch good prices. Adjusting planting time and variety, growing in different agro-climatic zone and protected structures like polyhouse, shade nets, plastic tunnels, hot beds etc. are appropriate ways for off season cultivation of vegetables. In this practise of cultivation, microclimate around the plant is modified to ensure proper growth and development of plant. If production will be qualitative and massive then there is chance of exports in foreign countries, providing year around employment opportunity and high earning. Furthermore, farmers can build their knowledge, learn ideas and specific techniques, develop confidence so that they can start this technology in commercial scale. Although off season vegetable production technology is best and provides higher prices of each product but requirement of technical knowledge, regular concern and supervision of government agencies, higher cost of production and risk factor due to possibilities of pest incidence inhibits the farmers to adopt this technology.

Need of Off-Season Cultivation
  • To fulfil the demand of growing population for vegetables
  • Effective and efficient use of land and farm resources
  • Supply vegetables during the lean period of supply
  • Consumer preference for fresh vegetable even in off season
  • Avoid storage problem during the on season
  • Fetch good price by supplying vegetables to market during the off season

Methods of off- season vegetable cultivation

1. Adjusting Planting Time.

2. Using Different Agro climatic Region.

3. Selection of Varieties with different maturity.

4. Creating controlled Environment i.e., protected cultivation: Main challenge for producing off season vegetable production is temperature, so to maintain temperature different types of structures are used:

4.1 Plastic Tunnel: Also known as row cover or miniature greenhouse, it is an easy and low-cost method to control the environment by covering crop rows with polythene sheets over bamboo stakes bent into a semi-circular shape on 1 m wide raised beds. The cover is removed at flowering to allow insect pollination. Commonly used in winter to raise summer seedlings, plastic tunnels protect crops from frost, rain, and cold winds by creating a warmer microclimate. Crops like tomato, capsicum, summer squash, melons, and cucurbits (muskmelon, cucumber, watermelon, etc.) are successfully cultivated under low tunnels during winter in North India.

4.2 Shade House: A shade house is a low-cost protected structure made of a frame covered with shade nets or woven material that allows air, moisture, and light to pass through, creating a favourable microclimate for plant growth. It consists of a frame and cladding material that protects crops from wind, rain, and heat. The structure typically lasts up to 5 years depending on materials and climate. Shade nets are available in various shade levels (25–90%), with black nets being most effective at reducing temperature. Shade houses help lower radiation and heat during summer (May–September) and are suitable for growing leafy vegetables like beet leaf and coriander, as well as early cauliflower and radish.

4.3 Polythene House: Polythene house can be prepared in various sizes according to our requirement through the use of polythene sheets, bamboo stakes or galvanised iron pipes. In this type of structure mainly tall growing plants like cucurbits, tomatoes are grown. Many small and marginal farmers in hills are involving in the off-season plastic house tomato production. 4.4 Glass House / Green House: A greenhouse is a structure with transparent walls and roof made of glass or plastic, designed to provide controlled climatic conditions for plant growth. It helps protect off-season crops from extreme cold or heat and allows regulation of temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and light. Although expensive, it ensures excellent crop quality and higher yields. Greenhouse farming enables year-round production, efficient use of limited land, better crop protection, and superior-quality vegetables.

4.5 Walk in Tunnel: Walk in tunnel is a temporary structure made by using GI pipes or bamboo and covered with different cladding material depending upon the season in which the cultivation is proposed. It is mainly used for off-season cultivation of vegetables like bottle gourd, summer squash, cucumber etc. during winter season (December-mid February). The ideal size of a walk in tunnel can be of 4.0 m width and 30 m length (120 m2). Overall, the height of this type of structure is enough for the workers to walk comfortably during inter-cultural operations.

4.6 Hot Bed: Hot bed is a pile of organic manure which provides heat due to the metabolism of microorganisms. The principle on which the hot bed works is that fresh manure (cow dung/sheep yard manure and poultry manure) ready for fermentation generates heat which is actually utilized to quick the germination by providing suitable conditions for germination and faster growth of the seedlings which result in early maturity of the crop. It is practiced in cool seasons.

Advantages & benefits of off- season vegetable production
  • Off-Season vegetable helps famer to get higher prices for their products.
  • Consumers can have fresh products throughout the whole year even in off-Season also.
  • Farmers can build their knowledge, learn ideas and specific techniques, develop confidence so that they can start this technology in commercial scale.
  • This technology may be suitable to small, marginalised, subsistence and commercial farmers.
  • It helps to ensure food scarcity.
  • Profit from off-Season planting per unit cultivation is high.
  • Seed production is suitable through this technology.
  • Creates employment to farm labourers all the year

Conclusion - Due to rapid urbanization, industrialization, and climate change, cultivable land is shrinking, and food security is under threat. To meet rising demand, vegetable cultivation must go beyond traditional open fields. Off-season production offers farmers higher prices, improved livelihoods, and employment opportunities, while ensuring year-round supply of vegetables. Governments should prioritize and promote this technology through awareness, support programs, funding, and resource availability. Off-season vegetable production is essential to meet future demand, enhance economic growth, and ensure food and nutritional security.