About protected cropping
Protected cropping, or growing crops under artificial structures, gives farmers more control over the growing environment, helping them protect crops against pests and extreme weather. It has become the fastest growing food producing sector in Australia, with average annual growth rates of more than 60% over the past five years1.
Largescale glasshouses sit at the high-tech end of protected cropping structures. They are constructed using commercial-grade materials that can withstand strong winds and even hail with the appropriate adaptations. Many different types of fruit and vegetable crops can be grown within these structures including tomatoes, berries, cucumbers, capsicums and lettuce.
