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

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